Cycling:Alberto Contador expressed relief after being cleared by the Spanish cycling federation after testing positive for a banned substance during last year's Tour de France. He is free to return to competition immediately and could defend the Volta ao Algarve which begins in Portugal tomorrow.
The 28-year-old Spaniard reported an adverse finding for Clenbuterol in July last year, attributing the result on the second rest day to contaminated meat and maintaining his innocence throughout.
The Spanish cycling federation’s (RFEC) disciplinary committee last month proposed a one-year ban but today Contador’s spokesman confirmed the three time Tour champion is free to begin the Volta ao Algarve tomorrow.
Contador, on his Saxo Bank-Sungard team’s official website, www.saxobank-sungard.com, said: “First of all, I’m relieved and obviously happy about this ruling.
“It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case, and all the way through I have spoken in accordance with the truth.
“To both the team and the authorities I have explained, that I never cheated or deliberately took a banned substance.”
Andy Ramos, Contador’s lawyer, was notified by RFEC of their decision today. "We have received confirmation that the investigation has been shelved and Alberto can race again," he said.
"Justice has been done. The UCI will study the decision and for our part there is nothing to appeal. We hope the UCI don't appeal."
He added that Contador, who has denied deliberate wrongdoing saying the failed test was due to contaminated meat, was "very well, very pleased."
The case now moves back into the hands of the UCI, cycling's world governing body, and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
They have one month to decide whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland, if they disagree with RFEC's ruling.
A statement from the Spanish federation read: “Alberto Contador has been officially cleared by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation and has been authorised to return to competition immediately.
“If everything goes well, the rider will take the start, tomorrow, at the Volta ao Algarve.”