Contador could escape ban

Alberto Contador could be cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) of doping charges from last year's Tour de France, according to reports in Spain.

Contador could escape ban

Alberto Contador could be cleared by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) of doping charges from last year's Tour de France, according to reports in Spain.

Spanish media, citing sources, claim the three-time Tour de France winner could be informed tomorrow that he will not face punishment from the RFEC's disciplinary committee for testing positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol on the second rest day, July 21, of last year's Tour.

The disciplinary committee had last month proposed a one-year ban for Contador, but the Spanish cyclist - who has maintained his innocence, claiming the substance was in some contaminated meat - appealed against that ruling last week and could now be acquitted.

When asked about the reports, Contador's press officer Jacinto Vidarte told www.cyclingnews.com today: "We've not had any official confirmation as of yet. If it's true then it's great news but, like I said, all the information we have comes from the press."

If he is cleared, Contador, who was provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) last August, could return to competition in this week's Tour of Algarve.

The UCI or the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) retain the right to challenge the decision.

Contador, 28, won last year's Tour as an Astana rider, beating Andy Schleck by 39 seconds, but has since moved to Team Saxo Bank.

The UCI revealed in September that the level of clenbuterol detected in Contador's urine on July 21 was 400 times smaller than the WADA are required to detect.

Clenbuterol can be used to reduce body fat and improve aerobic capacity.

u00a0

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels