ALBERTO CONTADOR protested his innocence and insisted he can hold his head high in the wake of yesterday’s announcement that he tested positive for a banned substance en route to winning this year’s Tour de France.

Two more Spanish cyclists have failed drugs tests, world cycling's governing body has announced.

Vincenzo Nibali retained the lead in the Vuelta a Espana as Peter Velits won today’s individual time trial in Penafiel, his first stage win of the season.

Mikel Nieve claimed the 16th stage of the Vuelta a Espana today while his fellow Spaniard Joaquin Rodriguez regained the overall lead.

Overall leader Igor Anton crashed out of the Vuelta a Espana today as Joaquin Rodriguez raced to victory on an action-packed 14th stage.