Contador: Champion of Italy and France

I wonder whether there's some way Tour de France champion Alberto Contador can be allowed to defend his title this year. He rides for Astana, a team which has not been invited because of a doping scandal last year.

The Spanish rider has further upped his profile by becoming the first non-Italian to win the Giro d'Italia, since 1996, over the weekend. He's now the holder of two of the world's most famous and grueling cycle-tours.

I think it's a pity that he won't compete in France, but I guess authorities have to stick to their guns.