Alberto Contador set to attend Saxo Bank-SunGuard team-building camp
Alberto Contador is set to attend a pre-season training camp with his new team Saxo Bank-SunGuard despite the doping allegations against him.
Contador, who tested positive for Clenbuterol at this year's Tour de France and has been handed a provisional suspension by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in anticipation of the Spanish Cycling Federation's hearings against him, is
set to travel with the team to spend two weeks at the Playitas resort on the Canary Islands.
"I'm really proud of this group of riders, and I'm very much looking forward to begin working with these guys, so we are perfectly ready for next year," general manager Bjarne Riis told the press ahead of the camp, having included Contador
after the UCI said the Spaniard could train with his new team before the hearings.
"I think it is important that we all remember that Alberto is not guilty until a judgement is made that indicates otherwise," Riis continued. "This has been the message from the UCI, and I think we should all respect that. We have also met
with the UCI, and they have assured us that there are no problems in taking Alberto to our team building camp."
New roster for 2011
Several of Riis' key riders, including brothers Andy and Frank Schleck and time-trial world champion Fabian Cancellara, left Saxo Bank for the Luxembourg PRO Cycling Project during 2010.
Riis, who recently announced Italian rider Matteo Posatto as his final signing for next season, will therefore be given a valuable opportunity to forge a new team out of his 25-man roster during the camp.
"It's an incredibly important camp for the team and our entire organization. It is the first time that we all get together and it’s a great chance to get to know each other. This is where we create the complete foundation for our organization.
Therefore, we will continue to work with our team building at Playitas."
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