Spanish Olympic Official: Alberto Contador Should Get Maximum Ban if He Doped

Cycling News

Spanish Olympic Official: Alberto Contador Should Get Maximum Ban if He Doped

By AP, with additional commentary by Roadcycling.com
Dec 16, 2010 - 3:30:02 PM

Pro road cyclist Alberto Contador and track athletes involved in Operation Galgo should receive maximum bans if they are found guilty of doping, Spanish Olympic Committee president Alejandro Blanco said Thursday.

Contador is facing a two-year ban and being stripped of his third Tour de France title after failing a doping test during this year's Tour de France. Fourteen people are implicated in Galgo, including world steeplechase champion Marta Dominguez.

"In the case of Contador and any other athletes - maximum sanction when we know" if they are guilty, Blanco said in an interview and added "When it's proven an athlete has doped, there is no debate - authorities need to act."

While all results are usually annulled and prize money can be paid back with a doping sanction, Blanco was also open to the suggestion that Spanish athletes pay back grants earned from the state to assist in training.

"If they are shown to be guilty then there's no debate, they have to return everything," Blanco said from COE's Madrid headquarters. "Take away the grant and, even, try to make them pay back the money."

Despite backing Contador after news of his failed test, Blanco dismissed any notion the Spanish cyclist would get preferential treatment after the cycling federation's president also came out in support. Contador tested positive for clenbuterol, which he has blamed on contaminated meat.

"Until it is proven that an athlete has doped, you can't criticize the athlete," Blanco said. "There is not a single doubt over the ability of our disciplinary committees in any Spanish federation. They respect the rules in that sense, so people can rest assured."

Blanco was concerned over the fallout of Galgo, a Spanish Civil Guard investigation, which has divided Spanish track and field and accused Dominguez of being a supplier of performance-enhancing drugs. But he didn't expect recent scandals to affect the country's sports image as it considers bids to host the 2020 or 2024 Games.

Madrid lost to London for 2012 and Rio de Janeiro for 2016. Barcelona and Zaragoza are considering bids for the 2022 Winter Games.

Blanco insisted Spain was at the forefront of the battle on doping.

"Nobody fights against doping more than Spain does," he said.

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Italy Pushing for Doping Ban for Entire Cycling Family - Dec 11, 2010 - 12:29:25 AM
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Floyd Landis Says Clenbuterol Use Widespread in Cycling - Nov 30, 2010 - 5:15:40 AM
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UCI President Pat McQuaid Comments on Alberto Contador Case and Says EPO Bans Should Be 4 Years

The president of cycling's governing body renewed his call for stiffer penalties for EPO use while insisting that cycling is the cleanest of sports.

International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid told the French L'Equipe newspaper on Monday that he supports doubling the length of suspensions for first-time offenders who test positive for EPO from two years to four. He also said that Alberto Contador's (Team Saxo Bank-SunGard) doping case won't be resolved before the end of the year.

"Personally, I'm in favor of increasing the length of the suspension," said McQuaid, who backed the tougher punishments in a previous interview last month. "There should be a four-year ban for those who take EPO."

"We're going to propose that soon to the national federations and they will need to be on the same line as us."

The Spanish cycling federation is set to determine whether Contador is banned for two years after testing positive for clenbuterol during his victory in this year's Tour de France. Contador, a three-time Tour champion, blames contaminated meat for his positive test.

"At the end of August, along with WADA, we gave Contador the chance to explain himself," McQuaid said. "Twenty-four hours later, he told us this story of the contaminated meat. We asked experts to conduct a study to see if his version is credible. There won't be a decision before the end of the year."

Clenbuterol is a banned muscle-building and weight-loss steroid.

McQuaid also spoke about the possibility of handing reduced suspensions to riders caught using "lighter" substances.

"We should make a difference between light and heavy products," McQuaid said. "EPO is serious, that should be a four-year ban. Ventolin, for example, could be six or nine months."

In claiming that cycling is the cleanest of all sports, McQuaid said that most riders are not taking performance enhancing substances.

"Through our biological passport [program], we have noticed that the parameters were improving," McQuaid said. "Most of the riders are clean."

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UCI President Pat McQuaid Comments on Alberto Contador Case and Says EPO Bans Should Be 4 Years

The president of cycling's governing body renewed his call for stiffer penalties for EPO use while insisting that cycling is the cleanest of sports.

International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid told the French L'Equipe newspaper on Monday that he supports doubling the length of suspensions for first-time offenders who test positive for EPO from two years to four. He also said that Alberto Contador's (Team Saxo Bank-SunGard) doping case won't be resolved before the end of the year.

"Personally, I'm in favor of increasing the length of the suspension," said McQuaid, who backed the tougher punishments in a previous interview last month. "There should be a four-year ban for those who take EPO."

"We're going to propose that soon to the national federations and they will need to be on the same line as us."

The Spanish cycling federation is set to determine whether Contador is banned for two years after testing positive for clenbuterol during his victory in this year's Tour de France. Contador, a three-time Tour champion, blames contaminated meat for his positive test.

"At the end of August, along with WADA, we gave Contador the chance to explain himself," McQuaid said. "Twenty-four hours later, he told us this story of the contaminated meat. We asked experts to conduct a study to see if his version is credible. There won't be a decision before the end of the year."

Clenbuterol is a banned muscle-building and weight-loss steroid.

McQuaid also spoke about the possibility of handing reduced suspensions to riders caught using "lighter" substances.

"We should make a difference between light and heavy products," McQuaid said. "EPO is serious, that should be a four-year ban. Ventolin, for example, could be six or nine months."

In claiming that cycling is the cleanest of all sports, McQuaid said that most riders are not taking performance enhancing substances.

"Through our biological passport [program], we have noticed that the parameters were improving," McQuaid said. "Most of the riders are clean."

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Lawyers Use Cocaine Defense in Alberto Contador Doping Case

Cycling News

Lawyers Use Cocaine Defense in Alberto Contador Doping Case

By AP and Roadcycling.com
Dec 7, 2010 - 8:02:30 AM

Alberto Contador's lawyers are using tennis player Richard Gasquet's successful appeal against cocaine use as part of their own defense for a failed Tour de France doping test.

Earlier today Alberto Contador's lawyer Andy Ramos?said a decision in cycling's biggest case could come "any day" as the Spanish cycling federation's disciplinary committee determines whether Contador merits a two-year ban after testing positive for clenbuterol.

The three-time Tour de France champion's defense is he ingested the muscle-building, weight-loss steroid inadvertently through contaminated meat.

Contador's lawyers are using several cases relating to other athletes to highlight that Contador did not voluntarily take the steroid. He will also lose his Tour title if he is found guilty.

French player Gasquet avoided a lengthy ban last year after proving he inadvertently ingested cocaine after kissing a woman at a nightclub.

"Not one of the scientists we have worked with has said it couldn't have been anything but contamination," Ramos commented in a telephone interview. "The levels are ridiculous - it couldn't be anything else."

Contador's lawyers are also using the case of Dimitrij Ovtcharov, who was cleared of doping by the German table tennis federation in October. The Ukrainian-born Ovtcharov successfully argued that tainted meat consumed in China was the reason for his positive test for clenbuterol.

Ovtcharov turned up an "extremely low" concentration of 75 picograms per milliliter in his sample compared to 50 picograms for Contador. A picogram is one trillionth of a gram.

The World Anti-Doping Agency and the International Tennis Federation attempt to ban Gasquet for two years was overturned after the Court for Arbitration for Sport accepted his claim that he inadvertently consumed cocaine by kissing the woman in a Miami club hours after withdrawing injured from a tournament last year.

Gasquet did not deny cocaine was in his system but proved it was not intentionally taken while showing no negligence on his own part. He served a 2?-month suspension.

Contador is at the Playitas in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, training with his Saxo Bank-SunGard team, which is preparing for the 2011 season. Contador also won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009.

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Alberto Contador Submits Official Defense Documents in Doping Case - Nov 26, 2010 - 2:40:12 PM
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Alberto Contador Submits Official Defense Documents in Doping Case

Cycling News

Alberto Contador Submits Official Defense Documents in Doping Case

By AP and Roadcycling.com
Nov 26, 2010 - 2:40:12 PM

Alberto Contador has submitted his official defense for a failed 2010 Tour de France doping test, giving the Spanish Cycling Federation documents he claims will show clenbuterol contaminated meat is to blame.

Alberto Contador spokesman Jacinto Vidarte earlier today said that Contador accompanied his lawyers to the federation's headquarters to hand over the necessary documentation.

The 27-year-old Spanish cyclist risks losing this year's Tour de France title and could face a two-year ban from pro road cycling if found guilty of using clenbuterol, a banned muscle-building and weight-loss steroid.

Contador says beef bought from Spanish border town Irun caused the failed July 21 test.

The Spanish Cycling Federation's disciplinary committee had opened the case earlier this month.

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Alberto Contador Contends Innocence

Cycling News

Alberto Contador Contends Innocence

By AP and Roadcycling.com
Nov 26, 2010 - 1:29:02 AM

Alberto Contador reiterated his innocence Thursday over his failed doping test at the 2010 Tour de France and slammed Team Astana for abandoning him once the news broke.

The 27-year-old Spanish cyclist is facing a two-year ban and risks losing his third Tour de France title after testing positive for the banned drug clenbuterol, which he claims came from contaminated meat.

Contador labeled the charges as "absolutely ridiculous" and felt the entire episode had discredited him.

"I don't doubt [my innocence] for one second because I did not do anything irregular at any time," Contador said in an interview broadcast by Spanish national broadcaster TVE. "Never."

He looked to be fighting back tears when asked if he would follow up his threat to quit the sport if punished.

"It's early to say that but," said Contador, stopping to reflect on his words with his voice cracking. "I can't say for sure ... that I'll continue."

Contador took a swipe at his Kahzak-based team for failing to provide any support after he announced in September that he had failed a July 21 drug test. Contador had signed a two-year deal to ride with Danish outfit Saxo Bank from 2011 by that point.

"I've always given my most in every event over the last three years," said Contador, who rode for Astana over that time but was unable to defend his 2007 Tour title after it was barred due to a number of doping scandals. "[But] it was no surprise to me" they have failed to defend him.

Contador is hoping a decision on his case by the Spanish cycling federation's disciplinary committee will be reached before the end of the year but still expected the case to stretch regardless of the verdict.

"I've never thought that this won't be resolved in a favorable way -- I can't go on thinking any other way," Contador said, adding he will meet with the disciplinary committee on Friday.

Contador, who is accused of using the muscle-building and weight-loss drug from a test taken one day before a crucial mountain stage, also won the Tour in 2007 and '09 for Astana. The beef was bought from the Spanish border town of Irun.

He added that he had been exchanging messages with Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck (Team Leopard Racing/Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project) throughout the ordeal.

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Alberto Contador Contaminated Meat Claim Rejected

Cycling News

Alberto Contador Contaminated Meat Claim Rejected

By AP
Nov 17, 2010 - 9:01:04 PM

Alberto Contador's lawyers challenged a reported World Anti-Doping Agency document Wednesday that concludes his positive Tour de France test could not have been caused by tainted meat.

El Pais newspaper said a WADA team visited the slaughterhouse and butcher's shop in Irun, Spain, that provided the beef Contador contends led to the positive finding for clenbuterol.

El Pais said it obtained a WADA report that determined the clenbuterol in Contador's sample "could not have come from possibly contaminated meat" and also ruled out asthma medication as a cause.

"None of the inspections and none of the tests on samples of meat found traces of clenbuterol, a banned drug used to fatten cattle quickly," El Pais said.

In a statement released by Contador spokesman Jacinto Vidarte, the rider's legal team said that after studying all the material it received from the International Cycling Union - including the WADA report - "it is impossible to determine that the meat was not contaminated."

Contador's legal team argued that WADA's investigation "lacked strength" since it did not investigate all the possibilities of food contamination and was limited to questions - rather than actual analysis - related to the slaughterhouse and ranch where the meat came from.

"The European Union's present system of monitoring meat is not perfect nor sufficient enough in detecting fraud where it exists," the Contador statement said.

Contacted by The Associated Press, WADA spokesman Frederic Donze declined comment.

Contador, a three-time Tour de France champion, remains provisionally suspended. He risks losing his latest Tour title and a two-year doping ban if found guilty of doping.

The WADA report was passed on to the Spanish cycling federation from the UCI. The Spanish disciplinary committee is investigating Contador's case and will issue a ruling.

The 27-year-old cyclist, who has threatened to quit the sport regardless of the outcome, said he would be willing to submit all of his team's own investigation to the Spanish federation and meet with the panel in the coming days.

According to El Pais, WADA's report said Contador's "main problem" to prove his innocence is that "his entire defense rests on the involuntary ingestion of the meat contaminated with clenbuterol in such a tiny amount that it had no effect on his performance."

WADA referred to a 2008 European Union study in which 300,000 meat samples were tested and traces of clenbuterol were found in only one. It added that farmers will not slaughter their cattle until at least 20 days after the last dose of clenbuterol has been administered to avoid being caught and allow the steroid to have its full "fattening-up" effect.

Contador signed a two-year deal to ride for Team Saxo Bank-SunGard from 2011.

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Alberto Contador Contaminated Meat Claim Rejected

Cycling News

Alberto Contador Contaminated Meat Claim Rejected

By AP
Nov 17, 2010 - 9:01:04 PM

Alberto Contador's lawyers challenged a reported World Anti-Doping Agency document Wednesday that concludes his positive Tour de France test could not have been caused by tainted meat.

El Pais newspaper said a WADA team visited the slaughterhouse and butcher's shop in Irun, Spain, that provided the beef Contador contends led to the positive finding for clenbuterol.

El Pais said it obtained a WADA report that determined the clenbuterol in Contador's sample "could not have come from possibly contaminated meat" and also ruled out asthma medication as a cause.

"None of the inspections and none of the tests on samples of meat found traces of clenbuterol, a banned drug used to fatten cattle quickly," El Pais said.

In a statement released by Contador spokesman Jacinto Vidarte, the rider's legal team said that after studying all the material it received from the International Cycling Union - including the WADA report - "it is impossible to determine that the meat was not contaminated."

Contador's legal team argued that WADA's investigation "lacked strength" since it did not investigate all the possibilities of food contamination and was limited to questions - rather than actual analysis - related to the slaughterhouse and ranch where the meat came from.

"The European Union's present system of monitoring meat is not perfect nor sufficient enough in detecting fraud where it exists," the Contador statement said.

Contacted by The Associated Press, WADA spokesman Frederic Donze declined comment.

Contador, a three-time Tour de France champion, remains provisionally suspended. He risks losing his latest Tour title and a two-year doping ban if found guilty of doping.

The WADA report was passed on to the Spanish cycling federation from the UCI. The Spanish disciplinary committee is investigating Contador's case and will issue a ruling.

The 27-year-old cyclist, who has threatened to quit the sport regardless of the outcome, said he would be willing to submit all of his team's own investigation to the Spanish federation and meet with the panel in the coming days.

According to El Pais, WADA's report said Contador's "main problem" to prove his innocence is that "his entire defense rests on the involuntary ingestion of the meat contaminated with clenbuterol in such a tiny amount that it had no effect on his performance."

WADA referred to a 2008 European Union study in which 300,000 meat samples were tested and traces of clenbuterol were found in only one. It added that farmers will not slaughter their cattle until at least 20 days after the last dose of clenbuterol has been administered to avoid being caught and allow the steroid to have its full "fattening-up" effect.

Contador signed a two-year deal to ride for Team Saxo Bank-SunGard from 2011.

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WADA: No Tour de France Doping Tests at Nighttime - Nov 12, 2010 - 10:53:19 AM
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UCI Wants Spain to Initiate Case Against Alberto Contador - Nov 8, 2010 - 1:42:37 PM
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Spanish Cycling Chief Hopes Alberto Contador Will be Cleared

Cycling News

Spanish Cycling Chief Hopes Alberto Contador Will be Cleared

By AP, with additional commentary by Roadcycling.com
Nov 9, 2010 - 5:34:21 AM

The head of the Spanish cycling federation is hopeful that Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will be cleared of doping in what is expected to be a drawn-out investigation.

The International Cycling Union asked the Spanish body on Monday to open disciplinary proceedings against the three-time Tour winner, who has been provisionally suspended.

"Personally, as the president of the cycling federation, I hope it's resolved in favor of the athlete. Not only for the benefit of the cyclist, but it would be good for cycling," Juan Carlos Castano told Spanish national radio late Monday night. "I've know him sine he was very young ... and I can't help but feel this empathy with Alberto Contador."

Contador - one of only five cyclists to win road cycling's three Grand Tours - risks losing his Tour title and facing a two-year ban.

Castano said the UCI's delay in providing documents had created doubts over the "complicated" case, which the 27-year-old cyclist claims came from contaminated meat.

"What's clear is this will be a complicated case due to all the documents we've received from the UCI," Castano said. "Usually once the results are known in the laboratory they are immediately sent to the Spanish federation's committee to open the case. This has taken three months and has created a lot of doubts in all senses."

Castano said the RFEC's four-person disciplinary committee will begin discussing the case on Wednesday. Spanish law gives the committee three months to reach a verdict before the case is turned over to Spain's national anti-doping agency. At that point, the UCI could also take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The UCI has submitted six times the normal amount of documents for the case, Castano said, while Contador's team had also submitted a high number of documents in his defense.

On Tuesday, Castano attempted to cut out any notion that Contador would receive favorable treatment.

"If Alberto has made a mistake then he will have to assume his responsibility because the competition committee will not show any favorable treatment because it's Contador," Castano said. "The rules will be applied and we'll try to be fair."

Castano expects the case to drag into the Court of Arbitration for Sport regardless of the outcome. The UCI, the World Anti-Doping Agency or Contador can go to CAS if unhappy with the outcome.

The UCI announced in September that Contador had been provisionally suspended after his urine sample taken on the July 21 rest day contained "very small" traces of banned anabolic agent clenbuterol. The UCI did not mention alleged high levels of plastic residue found in Contador's sample, which scientists believe can indicate a rider has received a transfusion of his own blood.

Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck stands to win the title if Contador is stripped.

"It doesn't really change anything. In one way it is good for cycling that it comes pretty quick," the Luxembourg rider told Belgium's VRT television network. "For me, I lost the Tour on the road and even if I stand in a few years in the books that I win the Tour, it is not like it will be a victory."

Contador, who won for the Kazakh-backed Astana team before signing with the Saxo Bank-SunGard team, has threatened to quit the sport regardless of the decision.

"The more time this takes the worst this is for everyone," Castano said, "and I think we've done a lot of damage to cycling during this time."

Spanish cyclists Ezequiel Mosquera and David Garcia are also being investigated after positive doping tests at this year's Vuelta a Espana.

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Team Saxo Bank Owner Bjarne Riis Says Alberto Contador Will be Cleared of Doping Suspicion

Team Saxo Bank owner and manager and former top cyclist Bjarne Riis says he believes Alberto Contador will be cleared of any doping suspicion.

Riis, who has hired the three-time Tour de France champion for next season, came to the defense of Contador, who has been provisionally suspended after a small concentration of the banned substance clenbuterol was found in a urine sample taken in July.

Riis says he believes Contador "is a clean rider" and that he trusted Contador's explanation that the drug came from a contaminated steak.

Contador signed a deal in August to compete for the Saxo Bank-SunGard team in 2011 after deciding to leave Astana.

The Spanish rider is in "good spirits," Riis said in an interview with the Politiken newspaper on Sunday.

"He has started to train again so we'll have something to work with, although the charge has hit hard."

In another interview, Riis unfortunately denied being in talks to sign blacklisted former Tour de France yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen of Denmark.

Rasmussen led cycling's showcase race in 2007 until he was kicked off his Dutch Rabobank team for lying about his training whereabouts when he missed pre-race doping tests. He eventually received a two-year ban and is still blacklisted in pro cycling despite having served his sentence and despite never having tested positive for doping. Meanwhile, we are witnessing many formerly doped riders being welcomed back into pro cycling, but still Rasmussen appears unwanted.

Rasmussen, whose main appearance in Denmark in recent months has been in a televised dancing contest, has been linked several times to the team.

"There's been almost no contact [with him] and I will not sign Michael Rasmussen for Saxo Bank-SunGard," Riis told the Ekstra Bladet daily. "I want to reiterate that I hope Michael gets an opportunity to race again."

The interviews were published two days before Riis' official autobiography titled RIIS hits the shelves.

Although team rider Andy Schleck came second in this year's Tour de France behind Contador, Riis suffered a series of setbacks in 2010 with several of his key riders leaving the team.

The Schleck brothers quit to join a new Luxembourg outfit created by Riis' former longtime press assistant, Brian Nygaard, and his then-aide Kim Andersen. Teammates Fabian Cancellara, Jakob Fuglsang, Jens Voigt and Stuart O'Grady followed suit.

He signed Contador in August only to learn about the doping allegations weeks later.

Riis became a national hero in 1996 after winning the Tour de France.

Since his retirement from racing in 2000, he set up a team with some of cycling's big names: Laurent Jalabert, Carlos Sastre, Tyler Hamilton, Ivan Basso and Voigt, among others.

The Dane admitted in 2007 that he had used the performance-enhancing drug EPO from 1993-1998, including when he won the Tour de France in 1996.

That prompted sponsor Computer Sciences Corp. to end its eight-year relationship after several doping scandals. Danish Internet-based bank and Web trading platform Saxo Bank stepped replaced CSC in 2008.

"The book is telling my story, my truth," Riis was quoted as saying by Politiken.

"Nobody forced me, there were no requirements, I was not put under any pressure," Riis said about taking doping. "It was my own choice."

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UCI Wants Spain to Initiate Case Against Alberto Contador

Cycling News

UCI Wants Spain to Initiate Case Against Alberto Contador

By AP, with additional commentary by Roadcycling.com
Nov 8, 2010 - 1:42:37 PM

Cycling's governing body has asked Spanish authorities to open a doping case against 2010 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.

The International Cycling Union says it wants the Spanish cycling federation to hold a disciplinary hearing regarding Contador's positive test for clenbuterol during the race.

The international cycling union conducted tests on the riders during the Tour de France, but national authorities prosecute doping cases. If found guilty, Contador would be stripped of the Tour de France victory and likely banned for two years.

The international body suspended Contador in September after his July 21 urine sample contained "very small" traces of the banned substance. Contador denies doping and says the clenbuterol came from contaminated meat.

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Spanish Cycling Chief Hopes Alberto Contador Will be Cleared

Cycling News

Spanish Cycling Chief Hopes Alberto Contador Will be Cleared

By AP, with additional commentary by Roadcycling.com
Nov 9, 2010 - 5:34:21 AM

The head of the Spanish cycling federation is hopeful that Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will be cleared of doping in what is expected to be a drawn-out investigation.

The International Cycling Union asked the Spanish body on Monday to open disciplinary proceedings against the three-time Tour winner, who has been provisionally suspended.

"Personally, as the president of the cycling federation, I hope it's resolved in favor of the athlete. Not only for the benefit of the cyclist, but it would be good for cycling," Juan Carlos Castano told Spanish national radio late Monday night. "I've know him sine he was very young ... and I can't help but feel this empathy with Alberto Contador."

Contador - one of only five cyclists to win road cycling's three Grand Tours - risks losing his Tour title and facing a two-year ban.

Castano said the UCI's delay in providing documents had created doubts over the "complicated" case, which the 27-year-old cyclist claims came from contaminated meat.

"What's clear is this will be a complicated case due to all the documents we've received from the UCI," Castano said. "Usually once the results are known in the laboratory they are immediately sent to the Spanish federation's committee to open the case. This has taken three months and has created a lot of doubts in all senses."

Castano said the RFEC's four-person disciplinary committee will begin discussing the case on Wednesday. Spanish law gives the committee three months to reach a verdict before the case is turned over to Spain's national anti-doping agency. At that point, the UCI could also take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The UCI has submitted six times the normal amount of documents for the case, Castano said, while Contador's team had also submitted a high number of documents in his defense.

On Tuesday, Castano attempted to cut out any notion that Contador would receive favorable treatment.

"If Alberto has made a mistake then he will have to assume his responsibility because the competition committee will not show any favorable treatment because it's Contador," Castano said. "The rules will be applied and we'll try to be fair."

Castano expects the case to drag into the Court of Arbitration for Sport regardless of the outcome. The UCI, the World Anti-Doping Agency or Contador can go to CAS if unhappy with the outcome.

The UCI announced in September that Contador had been provisionally suspended after his urine sample taken on the July 21 rest day contained "very small" traces of banned anabolic agent clenbuterol. The UCI did not mention alleged high levels of plastic residue found in Contador's sample, which scientists believe can indicate a rider has received a transfusion of his own blood.

Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck stands to win the title if Contador is stripped.

"It doesn't really change anything. In one way it is good for cycling that it comes pretty quick," the Luxembourg rider told Belgium's VRT television network. "For me, I lost the Tour on the road and even if I stand in a few years in the books that I win the Tour, it is not like it will be a victory."

Contador, who won for the Kazakh-backed Astana team before signing with the Saxo Bank-SunGard team, has threatened to quit the sport regardless of the decision.

"The more time this takes the worst this is for everyone," Castano said, "and I think we've done a lot of damage to cycling during this time."

Spanish cyclists Ezequiel Mosquera and David Garcia are also being investigated after positive doping tests at this year's Vuelta a Espana.

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Court Upholds Alejandro Valverde's Doping Ban - Nov 5, 2010 - 1:26:17 AM
UCI Boss Pat McQuaid Wants Four-Year Bans for Dopers - Nov 1, 2010 - 2:23:29 PM
WADA Proposes Night Tests at Tour de France - Oct 29, 2010 - 2:55:56 AM
Alberto Contador May Quit Cycling, Mother Says - Oct 24, 2010 - 3:42:33 AM
USADA Cases Add More Layers to Cycling's Troubles - Oct 13, 2010 - 6:43:02 AM

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UCI Wants Spain to Initiate Case Against Alberto Contador

Cycling News

UCI Wants Spain to Initiate Case Against Alberto Contador

By AP, with additional commentary by Roadcycling.com
Nov 8, 2010 - 1:42:37 PM

Cycling's governing body has asked Spanish authorities to open a doping case against 2010 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.

The International Cycling Union says it wants the Spanish cycling federation to hold a disciplinary hearing regarding Contador's positive test for clenbuterol during the race.

The international cycling union conducted tests on the riders during the Tour de France, but national authorities prosecute doping cases. If found guilty, Contador would be stripped of the Tour de France victory and likely banned for two years.

The international body suspended Contador in September after his July 21 urine sample contained "very small" traces of the banned substance. Contador denies doping and says the clenbuterol came from contaminated meat.

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UCI Wants Spain to Initiate Case Against Alberto Contador - Nov 8, 2010 - 1:42:37 PM
UCI Still Investigating Mosquera for Doping - Nov 6, 2010 - 10:15:39 AM
Court Upholds Alejandro Valverde's Doping Ban - Nov 5, 2010 - 1:26:17 AM
UCI Boss Pat McQuaid Wants Four-Year Bans for Dopers - Nov 1, 2010 - 2:23:29 PM
WADA Proposes Night Tests at Tour de France - Oct 29, 2010 - 2:55:56 AM
Alberto Contador May Quit Cycling, Mother Says - Oct 24, 2010 - 3:42:33 AM
USADA Cases Add More Layers to Cycling's Troubles - Oct 13, 2010 - 6:43:02 AM
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Team Saxo Bank Owner Bjarne Riis Says Alberto Contador Will be Cleared of Doping Suspicion

Team Saxo Bank owner and manager and former top cyclist Bjarne Riis says he believes Alberto Contador will be cleared of any doping suspicion.

Riis, who has hired the three-time Tour de France champion for next season, came to the defense of Contador, who has been provisionally suspended after a small concentration of the banned substance clenbuterol was found in a urine sample taken in July.

Riis says he believes Contador "is a clean rider" and that he trusted Contador's explanation that the drug came from a contaminated steak.

Contador signed a deal in August to compete for the Saxo Bank-SunGard team in 2011 after deciding to leave Astana.

The Spanish rider is in "good spirits," Riis said in an interview with the Politiken newspaper on Sunday.

"He has started to train again so we'll have something to work with, although the charge has hit hard."

In another interview, Riis unfortunately denied being in talks to sign blacklisted former Tour de France yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen of Denmark.

Rasmussen led cycling's showcase race in 2007 until he was kicked off his Dutch Rabobank team for lying about his training whereabouts when he missed pre-race doping tests. He eventually received a two-year ban and is still blacklisted in pro cycling despite having served his sentence and despite never having tested positive for doping. Meanwhile, we are witnessing many formerly doped riders being welcomed back into pro cycling, but still Rasmussen appears unwanted.

Rasmussen, whose main appearance in Denmark in recent months has been in a televised dancing contest, has been linked several times to the team.

"There's been almost no contact [with him] and I will not sign Michael Rasmussen for Saxo Bank-SunGard," Riis told the Ekstra Bladet daily. "I want to reiterate that I hope Michael gets an opportunity to race again."

The interviews were published two days before Riis' official autobiography titled RIIS hits the shelves.

Although team rider Andy Schleck came second in this year's Tour de France behind Contador, Riis suffered a series of setbacks in 2010 with several of his key riders leaving the team.

The Schleck brothers quit to join a new Luxembourg outfit created by Riis' former longtime press assistant, Brian Nygaard, and his then-aide Kim Andersen. Teammates Fabian Cancellara, Jakob Fuglsang, Jens Voigt and Stuart O'Grady followed suit.

He signed Contador in August only to learn about the doping allegations weeks later.

Riis became a national hero in 1996 after winning the Tour de France.

Since his retirement from racing in 2000, he set up a team with some of cycling's big names: Laurent Jalabert, Carlos Sastre, Tyler Hamilton, Ivan Basso and Voigt, among others.

The Dane admitted in 2007 that he had used the performance-enhancing drug EPO from 1993-1998, including when he won the Tour de France in 1996.

That prompted sponsor Computer Sciences Corp. to end its eight-year relationship after several doping scandals. Danish Internet-based bank and Web trading platform Saxo Bank stepped replaced CSC in 2008.

"The book is telling my story, my truth," Riis was quoted as saying by Politiken.

"Nobody forced me, there were no requirements, I was not put under any pressure," Riis said about taking doping. "It was my own choice."

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