The passing of time can be a cruel thing. For Andy Schleck, pronounced the ‘new’ winner of the 2010 Tour de France this week, it means the dulling of what would have been a moment of unbridled glory.
Instead, Schleck played bridesmaid to Spaniard Alberto Contador – the man subsequently banned from professional ranks for two years and stripped of his 2010 Tour and 2011 Giro d’Italia titles, having being found guilty of doping.
The cycling world finds itself in an awkward position. It appears torn between celebrating the rightful winner of the race, and trying to forget that a drug cheat was bathed in expensive champagne on the Champs Elysées.
Replays of these tainted celebrations would not be out of place in a dark comedy.
Cycling faced a similar dilemma more than a year after the 2006 Tour, when American yellow jersey winner Floyd Landis had his title taken away for doping.
Having finished second in the last three editions of the Tour de France, it seems wrong to think of Schleck’s victory only in relation to Contador’s misbehaviour. But it is difficult, perhaps even impossible, not to.
With official standings now amended, the podium reads: 1. Andy Schleck, 2. Denis Menchov, 3. Samuel Sanchez.
As you watch this year’s installment of the world’s greatest cycling race, tip your cap to Schleck. He is a Tour de France winner.
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