The Spanish Cycling Federation has announced that Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is facing a one-year ban due to a positive drugs test from the 2010 Tour de France, as stated by his spokesperson.
Earlier, the 28-year-old was notified of his punishment by the federation, which chose not to disclose its recommendation, leaving the decision on whether to release the information publicly up to the three-time Tour de France champion.
He subsequently issued a brief statement via his spokesperson.
“Today, Alberto Contador received a notification proposing a one-year ban from the Competition Committee of the Spanish Federation,” the spokesperson stated.
“Consequently, a Press Conference will be conducted next Friday, January 28, at 1600 hours (0200 AEDT, Saturday), at Hotel Son Net in Palma de Mallorca, where he and Bjarne Riis (director of Saxo Bank) will address this case.”
Following the federation’s decision, Contador has a period of 10 days to submit any new evidence or materials.
Floyd Landis remains the only previous Tour winner to have been stripped of his title, a sanction imposed in 2006.
In August, the International Cycling Union (UCI) provisionally suspended Contador while awaiting the REFC’s decision regarding his future, after trace levels of clenbuterol — a prohibited substance used for weight loss and muscle building — were discovered in a urine sample taken during the Tour de France.
Contador refutes any allegations of misconduct, claiming he unknowingly ingested the clenbuterol from beef transported from Spain to France during the Tour’s second rest day, a mere four days before securing his third title on July 25.
The European Union banned clenbuterol in 1996, yet some cattle farmers still administer it illegally.
According to the World Anti-Doping Agency, it is classified as an anabolic agent, prohibited for athletes at all times, both in and out of competition.
Similar to stimulant drugs like amphetamine, clenbuterol can induce short-term stimulant effects, enhancing aspects such as aerobic capacity, blood pressure, and alertness.
The cyclist, who secured Tour de France victories in 2007 and 2009 as well, has warned of exiting the sport if faced with a two-year suspension.
Currently training on the Spanish Balearic island of Majorca with his team Saxo Bank, the 28-year-old expressed his commitment to focusing on his work.
“I’m doing well, feeling motivated, and concentrating on my work. What is most important right now is to ignore everything around me, focus, and work, as that will yield results in the future,” he conveyed.
In August 2010, Contador signed a two-year contract with Saxo Bank after Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, who finished second to Contador in the past two editions, left the team to establish his own alongside his brother Frank and several other members from the Danish squad.
by Buford Balony
