Bjarne Riis and Andy Schleck believe Alberto Contador is innocent
Saxo Bank manager Bjarne Riis has reiterated his belief that Alberto Contador is innocent of the doping allegations against him, while fellow rider Andy Schleck also believes the Spaniard is innocent.
In 2007, Riis offered a candid description of his own use of doping during his professional career.
Despite being familiar with the problem, the Dane has said he is still convinced that Contador, whose transfer to Saxo Bank was announced on 3 August, was exposed to Clenbuterol inadvertently during this
year's Tour de France.
"I think Contador will be acquitted," Riis told Danish daily
Politiken, adding that the rider's claim to have taken in contaminated meat on the day of the test is a valid excuse. "I believe in his innocence and I am convinced that he is a clean rider. I believe his explanation that the detected drug traces
come from the Spanish steak. I can see no other explanation."
Meanwhile, Schleck, whose departure from Saxo Bank was announced days before Contador's deal with Riis, said that he hopes the rider who has beaten him to the Tour's general classification in the last
two editions of the race can prove his innocence.
"I don't think he's done anything but it's not for me to decide," the Luxembourgian told Spanish daily
Deia. "There are doctor and assessors who are handling all the information to decide on this case. The only thing I can say is that I hope he is innocent and that I believe in him."
Schleck still rues mechanical failure
In this year's Tour, Schleck claimed the young riders classification for the third consecutive year, but fell short of the general classification as Contador edged on top.
Contador overtook his younger rival by 39 seconds on 19 July after the chain on Schleck's bike came off, despite the custom of stopping when an opponent is suffering a mechanical failure.
Schleck forgave Contador shortly after the incident, but has now said that he "can never forget what happened."
"I didn't win the Tour on the bike, I didn't arrive in Paris in yellow," Schleck continued. "I don't know what they're going to decide, but for me, I'm still second in the Tour."
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