Just to keep things in perspective

Take a chance on Lance? This comeback world tour for cancer is not all beer and roses y'know (in fact in may not involve beer or roses at all): Dr Michael Ashenden, whose analysis of Armstrong's urine samples from the 1999 Tour de France allegedly revealed that the cyclist used the blood-boosting drug EPO during the race, said too many people in Australia had been "dazzled" by Armstrong's "star power". "It surprises me that the Tour is willing to embrace such a controversial figure," Ashenden said.

Live on the web: Armstrong's blood profile

Just what we all wanted to see, Web2.0 at its very best: Lance Armstrong's blood tests on the web. Catlin said that the actual program is still taking shape. "[Lance] has agreed to a couple of a few very fundamental points. One is his data, like T/E ratio and all that kind of stuff that a doping control is allowed to do will be on the web, so you can see it. 'Ah, your T/E ration changed today, what happened?' Like to see if he is taking EPO – all the actors to make it a very public campaign."

What about this enhancement to the website itself - some sliding controls that change the blood values, with respectively new maximum values for Wattage and VO2 max as you dial up the changes. And how about a new estimated time up L'Alpe d'Huez at those values... just so we can assess for ourselves what difference it makes to have higher haematocrit, for example.

King Contador cruising. Why am I uneasy?

I have that queasy, uneasy feeling again. The Lance A. comeback. His protege Contador winning 2 Grand Tours in a year, 3 in under 2 years; one with little preparation, straight off the beach. And Astana, back in the thick of things, loaded with talent.

25-year-old Alberto Contador carved his name into the annals of cycling history by becoming the first Spaniard to win all three Grand Tours on Sunday in his home town of Madrid. The Astana star who had been denied his opportunity to defend his 2007 Tour de France title when the race organiser refused to invite his team had vowed to get revenge at his home Tour, and he succeeded.

If I trusted these guys - and I must admit it's a leap of faith to do so - would it be good or bad for the sport? Lots of publicity, sure, but have we really finished with the laundry here? Hopefully the blood passports are doing the job, because we need some indication of where fair is fair.

OTOH, was it ever thus? When has life been fair?

QandA beats Footy anytime

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