Authorities plan Contador ruling ahead of Tour de France

The future of cyclist Alberto Contador should be clear before the start of the Tour de France, according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) yesterday followed the International Cycling Union in appealing to CAS over a decision by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) to acquit Saxo Bank-SunGard rider Contador following a failed drugs test last year.

The three-time Tour de France champion insists his inadvertent ingestion of contaminated meat caused his positive test for clenbuterol on July 21, the final rest day of the 2010 Tour, which he won.

The RFEC initially proposed giving the 28-year-old a one-year ban before subsequently acquitting him, a decision the UCI appealed earlier this month, with WADA following suit yesterday.

The wheels of justice will have to turn with uncharacteristic haste for the matter to be cleared up ahead of the July 2 start to this year’s Tour.

But CAS confirmed in a statement that, by hearing the two cases as one, that is what they hope to do.

“Pursuant to the CAS rules, it is possible to consolidate the two cases, if all parties agree,” read the statement.

“The parties will now have the opportunity to file written submissions including all their arguments and evidence.

“The CAS secretary general has informed the parties that the CAS would be ready to establish a procedural calendar allowing for the settlement of the dispute before the end of June 2011.”

Contador could face a two-year ban, as well as the loss of last year’s title, should CAS find against him.