Contador to appeal against proposed ban

Alberto Contador has vowed to fight his proposed one-year doping ban, saying: “I will appeal in every possible court to defend my innocence”.

The 28-year-old Spaniard, who won the 2010 Tour de France, tested positive for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol on the second rest day, July 21, of last year’s Tour 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 International Cycling Union (UCI), who commissioned the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) to open disciplinary proceedings against him.

Contador’s spokesperson on Wednesday night issued a statement which confirmed the RFEC’s ruling, with the Madrid-born rider given 10 days to appeal.

Speaking in Palma, Mallorca, today, Contador said: “This is just a proposal and in the next 10 days I am going to work as hard as I can with my lawyers for justice to be done.

“I am against this proposal. I will work to cancel it but in case it becomes definite, I will appeal in every possible court to defend my innocence.”