The Spanish National Cycling Federation to hold hearings with Alberto Contador
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has urged the Spanish National Cycling Federation (RFEC) to hold disciplinary hearings against three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.
The Spanish rider tested positive for Clenbuterol on 21 July, the second day of rest of this year's Tour, which Contador went on to win.
On Monday 8 November, the UCI announced that it had requested the RFEC to schedule the hearings after consulting the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in the matter.
"At the end of a long and meticulous enquiry entrusted to highly qualified, WADA-accredited experts, and considering all the information currently in its possession, the UCI has concluded that disciplinary proceedings should be opened against Alberto Contador," the
body announced. "The UCI has today sent its request to the Spanish Federation that has competence in this regard. It is now the responsibility of this Federation to determine whether Alberto Contador has breached the UCI Anti-Doping Rules."
Contaminated meat the excuse
Contador, who signed for Bjarne Riis' Saxo Bank outfit shortly after testing positive, claimed his intake of the substance was inadvertent and blamed the traces on meat that was imported from Spain by Katusha's team chef.
The European Union banned the use of Clenbuterol in animals in 1996 and regularly monitors farms' compliance with the ban, calling into question the veracity of Contador's excuse.
The rider, who aside from his victories in the Tour, also claimed the general classifications of the Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia in 2008, has said he would consider retiring from cycling regardless of the UCI's decision.
The body is expected to strip Contador of his 2010 Tour title and to hand him a ban of up to two years.
Both Riis, and Andy Schleck, Contador's rival in the overall standings of the Tour, have recently said they believed Contador was innocent.
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