Following a statement by the UCI saying that it will carefully study the full text of the Spanish cycling federation’s dossier on the Alberto Contador case, then decide about a possible appeal, WADA has also confirmed that it may take things further.
“As with any decision taken by a World Anti-Doping Code signatory in relation to anti-doping matters, WADA will review the reasons for the decision once it receives it,” a spokeswoman told VeloNation today.
“Following receipt of the entire file and decision from the Spanish cycling federation, the UCI has 30 days to exercise its right of appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). WADA has another 21 days to determine whether or not to use its independent right of appeal to the CAS.”
That means that WADA will have 51 days to study the Spanish dossier, determining if it will protest at the RFEC decision, and what tactics are the best ones to follow. In recent months, both WADA and the UCI said that they would appeal if they didn’t agree with what the Spanish cycling federation decided in relation to the case.
WADA told VeloNation that it didn’t intend commenting further for now. “In the meantime, following our policy, we refrain from commenting more in details in order to protect the integrity of this review.”
Contador will return to competition tomorrow in the Volta ao Algarve. He hasn’t raced since last summer, but is reportedly in good shape.