Bjarne Riis believes Alberto Contador is innocent
Saxo Bank manager Bjarne Riis has said that he believes Alberto Contador did not intentionally take Clenbuterol during this year's Tour de France.
Riis, who signed the three-time Tour winner this summer after it was announced that Andy and Frank Schleck were due to leave Saxo Bank, spoke with the Spaniard on Wednesday. “I've just met with Alberto Contador and I have no reason not to believe in him,”
the manager told Danish TV channel DR Sport.
After the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced that Contador had tested positive for Clenbuterol during this year's Tour, the Spaniard pleaded innocent at a press conference, blaming the levels on imported Spanish meat that he consumed on the second
rest day of the race.
Riis, a disciplinarian who sent Andy Schleck and Stuart O'Grady home from this year's Vuelta a Espana after the pair violated Saxo Bank's curfew, said that he hopes his star signing will not become a scapegoat as the affair is resolved.
"I am afraid that it will end up as a political game - and I hope it does not. It would be extremely unfortunate for all parties," said Riis.
Cycling is often labelled a dirty sport despite widespread anti-doping efforts, and it may take a strong case to defend Contador against the allegations.
2011 season could be in doubt for Riis
Riis has made several signings for the 2011 season, but it is Contador who is expected to challenge for the Grand Tour titles. Most of Riis's new arrivals have been the Spaniard's supporting riders from his former team Astana.
If Contador's provisional suspension becomes permanent, it could spell trouble for Riis's team, which is due to switch names to Saxo Bank-SunGuard for 2011.
“I'm close to having made up my team, but it is still very open. It depends so much on who is coming.”
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