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Aussie cycling considering amnesty

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 14 Oktober 2012 | 23.01

Disgraced ... Matt White may not be the only Aussie cyclist to be involved in doping. Source: AFP

With one dirty little secret out, Cycling Australia is considering an amnesty to reveal just how clean Australian riders were during the Lance Armstrong doping era.

Matt White, one of the most influential figures in Australian cycling, admitted on Saturday to being involved in doping during his riding career.

He was outed in the American documents that revealed Armstrong as a drug cheat.

White has stood down from his position as Cycling Australia's (CA) men's road co-ordinator and sports director at Australian professional road team Orica-GreenEDGE.

But the question now is whether other Australians were doping during an era in which one leading rider and drug cheat, American Tyler Hamilton, says 80 per cent of the peloton were doping to some degree.

CA president Klaus Mueller admits an amnesty must be considered to reveal whether White's confession is just the tip of the iceberg.

Mueller says it is possible Australian cyclists involved in riding during that period "may have misled us".

"The material is coming out to suggest that certainly up until 2005, that there was certainly in some teams systemic cheating," Mueller said on Sunday.

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"That's one of the factors we need to take into account in determining whether there ought to be an amnesty (for Australian cyclists).

"It would be conditional on any athlete to whom we give an amnesty coming clean and disclosing all relevant issues in relation to his conduct ... and the conduct of others."

Mueller admits his organisation could have made more thorough checks before appointing White, whose future in his two key roles will be discussed at a board meeting this week.

Before taking on his current roles, White had been dismissed from another pro team, Garmin-Cervelo, for referring Australian rider Trent Rowe to now-disgraced ex-Armstrong doctor Luis Garcia del Moral.

Mueller said that matter would also be re-examined in the wake of White's admission.

When asked if CA should have been more thorough before appointing White Mueller said: "We, I suppose, were as naive as most people involved in the sport ... we didn't understand the extent of - certainly in the US Postal team - the systemic cheating taking place."

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But Mueller insists White has not compromised the integrity of Australia's national road program.

Testimony from disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis outed White - the American saying he had shared testosterone and EPO with him while riding for the US Postal team in 2003.

Mueller said he spoke to White late on Saturday night and he agreed to stand aside until CA and Australia's anti-doping body ASADA had fully investigated.

White said in his statement on Saturday night: "I am sad to say that I was part of a team where doping formed part of the team's strategy, and I too was involved in that strategy.

"My involvement is something I am not proud of and I sincerely apologise to my fans, media, family and friends who trusted me and also to other athletes in my era that consciously chose not to dope.''

He stopped racing in 2007, his last team being Discovery Channel which was a continuation of the US Postal Service outfit.

He moved into management with Slipstream-Chipotle (now Garmin-Sharp) and said one of the main reasons he stopped racing was the desire to help change the sport with the team's founder Jonathan Vaughters and British rider David Millar.

"The ideas about a clean team that Dave Millar and Jonathan Vaughters spoke to me about back then, were ones that the sport desperately needed.

"A lot has changed for the better, cycling is totally different now, and I have seen these changes as an athlete and also in management with my own eyes in the last decade."


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Vettel, Webber dominate Korea

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Raging Bulls ... Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber go one-two at the Korean GP. Source: Mark Baker / AP

Australia's Mark Webber finished second as his Red Bull teammate Sebastian Vettel won the Korean Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday to take over at the top of the championship standings.

It was the first one-two finish of the season for the Red Bull team.

With four races to go starting in India in two weeks, Vettel, the reigning champion who is chasing a third drivers' title in a row, sits atop the standings with 215 points. Alonso, who finished third, is on 209.

Driver Team Pts
1 Sebastian Vettel (GER) Red Bull 215
2 Fernando Alonso (ESP) Ferrari 209
3 Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Lotus 167
4 Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren 153
5 Mark Webber (AUS) Red Bull 152
6 Jenson Button (GBR) McLaren 131
7 Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes 93
8 Romain Grosjean (FRA) Lotus 88
9 Felipe Massa (BRA) Ferrari 81
10 Sergio Perez (MEX) Sauber 66
11 Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Sauber 50
12 Nico Hulkenburg (GER) Force India 45
13 Paul di Resta (GBR) Force India 44
14 Michael Schumacher (GER) Mercedes 43
15 Pastor Maldonado (VEN) Williams 33
16 Bruno Senna (BRA) Williams 25
17 Jean Eric Vergne (FRA) Toro Rosso 12
18 Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) Toro Rosso 9
19 Timo Glock (GER) Marussia F1 0
20 Heikki Kovalainen (FIN) Carterham 0
21 Vitaly Petrov (RUS) Carterham 0
22 Jerome d'Ambrosio (BEL) Lotus 0
23 Charles Pic (FRA) Marussia F1 0
24 Narain Karthikeyan (IND) HRT F1 0
25 Pedro de la Rosa (ESP) HRT F1 0

It was the 25-year-old German's third win in three races and he will now be favourite to retain his F1 crown, in what had been a highly unpredictable season until he took the championship by the scruff of the neck.

Alonso's fellow Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, second at Suzuka seven days ago, continued his resurgence with a fourth-placed finish on Sunday.

Lewis Hamilton, who still had title aspirations going in this race, finished down in 10th.

Fifth was Kimi Raikkonen of Lotus, followed by Nico Hulkenberg in a Force India. Romain Grosjean (Lotus), Jean-Eric Vergne, Daniel Ricciardo (both Toro Rosso) and Hamilton rounded out the top 10.

Vettel, who started second on the grid behind Webber, nipped in front of his teammate at the first corner. Behind them Alonso and Hamilton duelled over third place, with the Spaniard winning through.

Jenson Button's bad weekend finished almost as soon as the race began. His fine start from lowly 11th was wrecked when Kamui Kobayashi came flying down the inside, smashing into Button and destroying his suspension.

"I've just been hit by Kobayashi. What an idiot," the McLaren driver and 2009 world champion exclaimed over the team radio.

Also out, not long afterwards, was Nico Rosberg, who retired his Mercedes because of the same incident. Sauber driver Kobayashi, third last week in his native Japan, was forced to pit for a new nose and tyre.

He was then handed a drive-through penalty for causing the early carnage, and bowed out soon afterwards when Sauber decided that the damage to his car was too extensive.

Vettel, the man in form after victories at the last two races in Singapore and then Japan last week, was in firmly command.

Webber - intentionally or not - was a buffer between the leader and the chasing pack.

The Red Bull duo were exchanging fastest laps in front of a good crowd - the last two races at Yeongam have failed to attract spectators - while an improving Massa shoved a struggling Hamilton further down the field.

Vettel had a shaky moment on lap 35 of 55 when he ran wide, before pitting to go onto softer tyres.

"We have done another step and hopefully we can carry the momentum into the next races ... A lot can happen but we need to focus on ourselves," he said after winning.

Alonso was pleased overall despite losing the lead - as Ferrari at least overtook McLaren for second place in the constructors' list.

"We have to be happy with the performance today. We finished third and fourth behind the Red Bulls who are difficult to beat. We are moving in the right direction. We just need an extra step to be as competitive as Red Bull," Alonso said.

Young Australian Ricciardo fought from 21st on the grid to finish ninth in his Toro Rosso.


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Super-sub McBreen sinks Glory

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Tight tussle ... The Mariners are always a tough proposition at Bluetongue Stadium. Source:News Limited

Central Coast have avenged their heartbreaking preliminary final loss to Perth Glory last season after claiming a 1-0 victory in a closely-contested match at Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday.

Last season's minor premiers, who opened their season with a 0-0 draw against Western Sydney last week, looked like remaining winless and goalless until Daniel McBreen scored his 70th minute goal to snatch victory for the hosts.

The Mariners lost last season's controversial preliminary final in April after Glory striker Shane Smeltz, who on Sunday was on national duty with New Zealand, scored the equaliser from an offside position before Perth went on to book their grand final berth on penalties.

But it was the Mariners, wearing pink kits in support of the cancer charity event Pink Ribbon Day, who went home victors on Sunday in front of 9,192 cheering faithful.

"It wasn't pretty at all but that's what happens sometimes when you play Perth and it's important that you match them in the fight," Mariners coach Graham Arnold said.

"It's just important at the beginning of the season, when you're not playing your best football and you haven't found your rhythm, that you pick up points and we've gotten four from six so far and we're not playing fantastic yet so I'm very happy."

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Two yellow cards were shown in the first 25 minutes of what was a heated encounter.

Perth's Michael Thwaite earning the first for a foul on Mile Sterjovski, while Mariners fans thought their team may be awarded a penalty when Sterjovski was brought down on the edge the box by Jacob Burns.

Burns's foul created the first chance of the match midway through the opening half when Patrick Zwaanswijk stepped up to take the free kick, forcing a diving save from Glory gloveman Daniel Vukovic.

Zwaanswijk however, earned the ire of the referee minutes later for tripping Travis Dodd getting the third yellow of the match.

The Mariners' Trent Sainsbury had the only other chance of the half with a shot from inside the box but fired his header just over the bar.

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Both teams came back from the break looking to get on the scoresheet with Central Coast skipper John Hutchinson attempting to open the Mariners account.

Hutchinson however, made a potential game-changing error in the 69th minute when he gave the ball away to Dodd who was charging toward goal only to be denied by Sainsbury.

Sainsbury turned provider a minute later when he played a beautiful cross to McBreen who showed great skill to control the ball with his left foot before slotting it home with his right to give the hosts the 1-0 win.

Pedj Bojic could have put the game beyond doubt in the 78th minute when he had a clear shot at goal but misfired.

"I'm obviously very disappointed in the manner which we lost the goal," Glory coach Ian Ferguson said.

"There wasn't too much in the game today I just felt that chances were going to be few and far between.

"But fair credit to McBreen, he's taken a fantastic touch.

"I'm probably more disappointed, we put that effort in and we come away with nothing."

Check out the stats at Match Centre!


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Ioane may join long injury list

In doubt ... Ioane is battling a knee injury and may miss Bledisloe III. Source: News Limited

The Wallabies most potent attacking weapon, Digby Ioane, is in doubt for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash which is being viewed as anything but a dead-rubber by the trans-Tasman arch-rivals.

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Destructive winger Ioane is struggling with a lingering knee problem following the 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario, is a serious concern for an Australia outfit desperate to end the high-flying All Blacks' 14-month winning streak.

New Zealand head into the Brisbane encounter aiming to equal their record of 17 consecutive Test victories by continuing a roll which started after the last trans-Tasman clash in Brisbane.

That night the Wallabies triumphed 25-20 to claim the Tri Nations but fortunes have wickedly reversed since and injury-ravaged Australia will start rank underdogs against an outfit near the peak of their powers.

Despite being without more than half of his best side, coach Robbie Deans refuses to accept it's Mission Impossible and says his players are buoyed by a "great" opportunity to upset the world champions.

"We will give it everything," he said.

"We respect them as a team but we also respect what we're doing and it's something that really excites the group and we're looking forward to it.

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"It's important to us.

"(New Zealand) will obviously be very proud of (their streak) but it's not a motivation for us - we've got reason enough."

The potential loss of Ioane would be a major blow as he's the line-breaking threat the All Blacks would fear most.

The 31-Test flyer - who crossed for the match-winning try against the Pumas - saw out the match in Rosario but pulled up sore after carrying severe bruising into the game from a heavy knock in the 31-8 loss to South Africa the week before.

Ioane will be fully assessed on Monday and the report could determine where stalwart utility Adam Ashley-Cooper returns to the backline after overcoming his sickening head knock against the Springboks.

Ashley-Cooper's availability makes for a welcome selection dilemma as rookie trio Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins and Mike Harris all performed strongly against the Pumas.

Forever a Mr Fix-It, Ashley-Cooper would prefer to stay at outside centre - which would come at the expense of Tapuai - but did play both wing and fullback in the opening two Bledisloe losses - 27-19 in Sydney and 22-0 in Auckland.

"We're waiting to hear on Digby and then we'll go from there once it comes clear," Deans said.

Dom Shipperley and the returning Drew Mitchell (ankle) would also be in the frame to start if Ioane fails to recover.

Like the unexpected prospect of rushing back Mitchell, Deans did not rule out selecting No.8 Wycliff Palu who last played in the three-Test whitewash of Wales in June.

Watch Bledisloe III Live and in stunning HD on Fox Sports!


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Save of the Week - R2

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Great save ... Kennedy's reflex effort was good enough to get Bozza's nod. Source:News Limited

All the post-match talk may have been about Emile Heskey and Alessandro Del Piero but the Sydney FC-Newcastle Jets clash also produced the Hungry Jack's Save of the Week for round two.

While Del Piero and Heskey both put their names on the scoresheet with fine goals, it was Jets gloveman Ben Kennedy who featured in one of the crucial moments of the closing stages.

With Sydney on the hunt for a late equaliser striker Krunoslav Lovrek sent a thunderous shot towards Kennedy, who palmed the ball away with a wonderful reflex block.

"As usual there were some fantastic saves over the weekend," Fox Sports football commentator Mark Bosnich said.

"But the save from Lovrek, when he turned and volleyed at a very important time in the game – this would have made it three-all – it was great reflex save and up very quickly.

"So this week's Hungry Jack's Save of the Week – Mr Ben Kennedy."

Do you agree with Bozza? Watch the video at the top of the page and have your say by leaving a comment below!


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'Ange needs to re-think tactics'

Style ... Mark Bosnich says Ange Postecoglou may have to re-think the Victory's tactics. Source: Jono Searle / News Limited

Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich says new coach Ange Postecoglou might have to reconsider Melbourne Victory's playing style following their 5-0 hammering at the hands of Brisbane Roar. Read Bozza and Jason Culina's full review of round two of the A-League.

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Adelaide United 1 defeated Western Sydney Wanderers 0 at Hindmarsh Stadium

There was one of the best goals of the A-League round in this match, with the reverse pass to play to Jerónimo Neumann in for Adelaide United a thing of beauty. The Argentine made some smart runs and caused Wanderers a lot of problems all night. The performance of former Sydney FC player Iain Ramsey was another highlight for the Reds. He showed great composure in setting up the winner for the Argentine. To come inside and make that pass, when many other players would rush the play, was great to see. He used his pace well out wide and was very hard to contain. It was also another clean sheet for the Reds, Kossie will be stoked with that. Not the worst result for Wanderers. They'll be a better side with the experience under their belt.


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Sydney FC 2 defeated by Newcastle Jets 3 at Allianz Stadium

Jason Culina says: Based on the first half I would say Newcastle deserved to win in a really entertaining game in front of a huge crowd. Sydney gave away a couple of scrappy goals which they won't be happy about. In the end they left their comeback just a bit too late. Alessandro Del Piero's brilliant free kick gave the Sky Blues some momentum, but that was taken away when Emile Heskey put the Jets ahead again. There were certainly positives for the home side though. The last 30 minutes was great, the team was pushing forward well. It wasn't the best result but there is plenty to be happy about heading into the derby next weekend.


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Brisbane Roar 5 defeated Melbourne Victory 0 at Suncorp Stadium

New coach Ange Postecoglou has made his name playing a certain philosophy at the Roar, which he is now trying to ingrain in the Victory players. It will take time to bed in, it didn't happen overnight at Brisbane Roar. The coach will need to sit down and decide if he wants to persist playing out from the back at all costs or maybe mix up his tactics with the players he has at his disposal. When it got to about 3-0 I noticed a few Victory players shy away. That was disappointing. Not just a few, probably most of the team really. This loss will sting the Victory, and so it should. When you're talking about 5-0, that's pride at stake.

Jason Culina says: The Victory were missing a few players, but they have plenty of other good quality players and people expect better than a 5-0 loss. Brisbane are a very good side though. The Roar's motivation is to keep winning. They're enjoying themselves and banging goals in. They're a brilliant team to watch.


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Melbourne Heart 1 drew with Wellington Phoenix 1 at AAMI Park

This was a case of one incident totally changing the game. Melbourne Heart were outstanding in the first half, but they were made to pay for not taking their chances. One of the things that makes football so attractive is that it can turn in one second. That's what happened with Simon Colosimo's handball, which was the right decision. Heart will be disappointed, there were three points there for the taking. I'm a big fan of Aziz Behich. He's got pace and skill. It was brilliant work to set up Matt Thompson's goal. It's about time the left back gets his chance for the Socceroos.

Jason Culina says: Simon Colosimo certainly handled the ball and he gave the referee no choice. It left the Heart a bit short, but all-in-all it was probably a fair result with the points shared.


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Central Coast Mariners 1 defeated Perth Glory 0 at Bluetongue Stadium

The first half was poor with both sides cancelling each other out. The second half really picked up and Graham Arnold made the change that turned him into a super-coach, brining on Daniel McBreen, who went on to net the winner. The Mariners have two clean sheets in two games now - they are a very difficult side to break down.

Jason Culina says: It's a difficult time to play at Bluetongue as the sun is coming down. The sun and heat can be an issue for players. I tipped the Glory to be up there at the end of the season. They're a tough team to face - they are very experienced. Any team with the likes of Jacob Burns and Liam Miller is going to be hard to beat. They'll bounce back.


Watch the A-League, Live and Exclusive, and in stunning High Definition, on Fox Sports!


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Tigers down Redbacks in Ryobi Cup

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Day to remember ... Krejza starred with both bat and ball to lead the Tigers to victory. Source:News Limited

Tasmanian Jason Krejza followed a batting cameo with a star showing with the ball as the Tigers downed South Australia by three runs in Sunday's Ryobi Cup match in Adelaide.

ODD - Adelaide Oval

14 October 2012 - Day 1, Session 2

South Australia 1st Innings

D. Christian 81 98 6 1 82.65
J. Haberfield 0 0 0 0 0
B. Laughlin 9.5 0 46 2 4.68

Chasing 222 to win, the Redbacks were bowled out for 218 with one ball remaining.

Krejza claimed four wickets after earlier smacking three sixes in a vital 33 in the Tigers' 9-221 from 50 overs.

Krejza's return with the bat was the second-highest contribution in Tasmania's innings behind Ricky Ponting's top score of 47.

But Krejza's feats with the ball, taking 4-35 from 10 overs, proved match defining despite a sterling knock from SA all-rounder Dan Christian.

Christian made an unbeaten 81 but couldn't conjure victory when needing 11 runs from Ben Laughlin's final over.

SA were in relative comfort at 1-71 in the 16th over only to lose five wickets in the next 20 overs.

But from 6-143 in the 37th over, Christian paced the chase despite frequently losing partners, only to ultimately fall short.

Earlier, Ponting was in fine touch before falling to a freakish catch when just short of a half-century.

The ex-Australia captain drove a Jake Haberfield delivery straight, hard and head high, and the paceman instinctively stuck out his right hand on his follow through.

The ball whacked into Haberfield's hand, popping out of his initial grasp before lobbing up and falling softly into his hands.

Ponting stood bewildered for about 30 seconds - either in disbelief at the catch, or at bunch of bees surrounding Haberfield as he delivered the wicket ball.

Ponting, who struck three boundaries and two sixes in his 63-ball knock, was the sole batsman in Tasmania's top six to pass 20.

The Tigers instead relied on handy late order contributions from Krejza and James Faulkner (32).

Redbacks skipper Johan Botha claimed 3-43 and paceman Daniel Worrall took two wickets on debut for SA.


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Djoker downs Murray in Shanghai

Fiery ... Novak Djokovic gets the job done over Andy Murray at the Shanghai Masters. Source: Peter Parks / AFP

Novak Djokovic came back from the brink to deny Andy Murray a hat-trick of Shanghai Masters titles in a bad-tempered final.

World No.2 Djokovic saved five match points during the second set before pulling through 5-7 7-6 (13/11) 6-3 to claim his second tournament win in as many weeks and a measure of revenge for his US Open final defeat in the pair's previous meeting.

The Serb demolished his tennis racket after surrendering his serve for the fourth time in the opening set, a break that handed Murray a 6-5 lead.

The Scot, who had been broken three times himself to that point, duly served out the opener without alarm and took the initiative with another break for a 4-3 lead in the second set.

Murray served for the title at 5-4 but Djokovic escaped a championship point before breaking back and then saved four more in the subsequent tie-break.

Djokovic eventually prevailed 13-11 in a 20-minute plus breaker and this time it was Murray's turn to take out his frustration on his equipment.

And Djokovic broke through in for a 4-3 lead in the decider and again to seal the title against his deflated opponent.

Read more: http://www1.skysports.com/tennis/news/12110/8164639/Shanghai-Masters-final-Novak-Djokovic-comes-from-set-down-to-beat-Andy-Murray


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