UCI insist Contador ban term not yet final

THE International Cycling Union yesterday moved to clarify that the one-year suspension for Alberto Contador, announced by his spokesperson on Wednesday night, is only a proposed ban by the Spanish Cycling Federation.

Contador tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol on the second rest day, July 21, of last year’s Tour de France, but has maintained his innocence, claiming the substance was in some contaminated meat.

As a result, the three-time Tour champion was provisionally suspended by the UCI, who commissioned the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) to open disciplinary proceedings against him.

The 28-year-old’s spokesperson issued a statement which confirmed the RFEC’s ruling, with the Madrid-born rider given 10 days to appeal. Should any appeal succeed, the UCI or the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) retain the right to challenge the decision. But the UCI yesterday insisted the RFEC’s decision was not yet final. A UCI statement read: “This information cannot be considered as an anticipation of the definitive decision in the case. To date, Alberto Contador has not received a sanction and the UCI still awaits – in accordance with the provisions of its own regulations and those of the World Anti-Doping Code – to be informed of the decision of the RFEC disciplinary commission that should be provided as soon as possible.

“The document that was forwarded to the UCI this afternoon by the RFEC only represents one element of the disciplinary proceedings undertaken by the Spanish Federation – and upon which the rider may express an opinion before being subject to the ruling – and cannot be used for the purpose of a potential appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

“Only the definitive decision, that must be issued by the RFEC, can fulfil this purpose – within the time period established by the regulations – for the UCI, for WADA and for the rider himself. UCI regrets the inappropriate speculation and expresses its desire this affair be drawn to a conclusion in an orderly fashion.”

Contador is scheduled to hold a media conference in Palma, Mallorca today alongside Saxo Bank-Sunguard team boss Bjarne Riis.