Alberto Contador is planning to ride the Criterium Ciudad de Oviedo in Spain on October 30, pending the permission by the UCI. The triple Tour de France winner is currently being investigated for a possible doping offense and has been provisionally suspended.
The director of the event, Javier Pascual Rodríguez, issued a press release confirming Contador's participation. "We spoke with Alberto and his brother - who represents the cyclist - and both said they would be in Oviedo," Marca wrote.
Rodríguez, a former Kelme rider, was quite pleased with the news of Contador racing the event. "Here, we can show him our support," Rodríguez said. The
comment was referring to the current investigation against Contador, who claimed that his positive for Clenbuterol stems from tainted meat.
The organizers have already published the schedule for the multi-event race day and are very certain that Contador will show up. The second event of the day is the "Duelo Alberto Hevia – Samuel Sánchez – Alberto Contador."
But before that, a special recognition will be given to RadioShack rider Chechu Rubiera, who retires after 16 years as a professional. In his early years, he rode for Kelme and he and Rodriguez were teammates from 1997 to 2000.
After the final event, an elimination race, there will be a lap of honor for Rubiera, before the event draws to a close around eight in the evening.