Bjarne Riis could not stop UCI from excluding Alberto Contador’s UCI points
Alberto Contador will mark his comeback at professional cycling on August 5th, 2012 after he was banned by Court of Arbitration for Sport.
UCI has re-confirmed that all the points the Spaniard earns in the remaining part of 2012 and the whole 2013 season will not count towards the team’s ranking.
Team Saxo Bank Manager Bjarne Riis tried to discuss the issue but UCI Spokesman Enrico Carpani has noted that the authority will not amend its rules.
Enrico told tv2sport.dk, “The matter with Contador is not on the agenda, and there are no plans to change anything in relation to what we previously announced”.
He further added, “Just because the rule is discussed, it does not mean that the rule is changed. There are different opinions about it here, but the rule still applies”.
The 29-year-old started his professional crusade with Team ONCE-Eroski in 2003 and spent a period of four years with the side.
He joined Team Discovery Channel in 2007 and penned a deal with Team Astana for 20089-10 seasons.
Alberto accepted an offer from the Danish side, Team Saxo Bank-Sungard in 2011 and will continue the remaining part of the 2012 season with the team.
It was rumoured that the Spaniard might join Team RadioShack-Nissan or Team Astana after his return but the cyclist negated all the speculations.
He noted, "The decision to return to Team Saxo Bank has actually been pretty easy, and my first priority was always to rejoin the team and to continue working with Bjarne Riis and the rest of the team”.
“The support I have experienced from them in a very difficult situation was extraordinary”.
He used performance enhancing drug, clenbuterol while riding the Tour de France 2010 and the jury suspended him for a period of two year.
Contador was also stripped-off from all the victories since the Tour de France 2010 and the ban also prevents him from riding all the important cycling events of the season.
The only important cycling race he is entitled to ride is the Vuelta a Espana 2012 scheduled from August 18 to September 9 2012.
It will be interesting to see, if Alberto continuous his winning momentum at the remaining part of the 2012 season.
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