The Court of Arbitration (CAS) in sport will hear Saxo Bank-Sungard rider Alberto Contador's doping case in early June. The Spaniard tested positive when trace amounts of clenbuterol were found in his system during his winning ride to the overall title in last year's Tour de France.
Contador has maintained his innocence in the matter, attributing the result to tainted beef from his home of Spain. His national federation stood behind Contador and cleared him of doping charges in February, but the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed their decision not to suspend the rider to CAS.
Interestingly, the UCI and WADA have lodged their appeals separately, meaning they will likely present different arguments in the case.
The trial is set for June 6th, 7th and 8th, which is when the parties will have the opportunity to argue their case. CAS has promised to make a decision before the start of the Tour de France, which gives the court just over three weeks to deliberate.
Contador is currently leading the Giro d'Italia following his convincing win in the ninth stage that finished atop Mount Etna. He has already notched up several victories this season, include the overall titles at the Volta a Catalunya and Vuelta a la Region de Murcia.