Governing body insists Tour de France winner is not determined to be guilty at this point in time
Following a long investigation of the circumstances of his positive test for Clenbuterol during this year’s Tour de France, the UCI has now requested the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) to open disciplinary proceedings against Alberto Contador.
The triple Tour de France winner has been informed of the situation, as has the Spanish Federation. VeloNation contacted the UCI and spokesman Enrico Carpani confirmed that a press release was sent out almost an hour ago, but said that a possible email issue had led to the delay of its delivery.
“Tonight, at 6.30, the UCI has informed the Spanish federation to open disciplinary proceedings against Alberto Contador for the case,” he told VeloNation. “More details are in the press release. It is important to note that from this point on, the Spanish federation is in charge of this affair and the rider is not guilty until the end of the entire proceeding. At this point in time, the rider is not guilty,” he reiterated.
He said that the request for disciplinary proceedings related to the traces of Clenbuterol found in Contador’s system in a test carried out on the second rest day of this year’s Tour de France, which he won. He said that reported traces of plasticizers are not part of the proceedings.
Clenbuterol is non-steroidal β2 adrenergic agonist, similar in ways to ephinephrine and salbutamol. It’s also considered a stimulant with some androgenic properties. The traces in Contador’s urine were 50 picograms per millilitre, a level that he says supports his argument that its use was not deliberate.
The 27 year old Spaniard has maintained that the substance was inadvertently consumed in steak brought across the border from Spain. He denies ever doping and has threatened to retire from the sport.
If Contador is found guilty, he faces a ban of up to two years. However UCI president Pat McQuaid said recently that he wanted to see the doubling of such sanctions to four years.
If it is determined that Contador didn’t willingly ingest the substance, as is his contention, he could face a lesser sanction.
Carpani said that it was too soon to say if he would lose his Tour de France title. He beat Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck (Team Saxo Bank) by 39 seconds in the race.
UCI President Pat McQuaid declined to comment.
More to follow….