Contador handed two-year ban
Alberto Contador
Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador has been banned for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport following his positive test for clenbuterol, according to the International Cycling Union.
It was initially announced Contador had failed a doping test in September 2010, shortly after he had won his third Tour de France - he was also victorious in the sport's biggest race in 2007 and 2009.
The 29-year-old has always maintained his innocence and claimed he failed the test after eating contaminated meat. The Spanish Cycling Federation initially proposed giving the rider a one-year ban before subsequently acquitting him. But the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency both appealed that decision to CAS.
A statement from the UCI read: "The UCI acknowledges the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to impose a suspension of two years on the rider Alberto Contador following the UCI's appeal, brought in conjunction with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in the case concerning the Spanish cyclist.
"In rejecting the defence argument, in particular that the presence of clenbuterol in Alberto Contador's urine sample came from the consumption of contaminated meat, today's ruling confirms the UCI's position.
"However, the UCI has not derived a sense of satisfaction from the CAS ruling, but rather welcomes the news as the end of a long-running affair that has been extremely painful for cycling."
UCI president Pat McQuaid added: "This is a sad day for our sport. Some may think of it as a victory, but that is not at all the case.
"There are no winners when it comes to the issue of doping: every case, irrespective of its characteristics, is always a case too many."
There is no place for cheaters in this or any sport! I don't except the argument of they all do it or it was only tiny amount of this or that!
There is no excuse what so ever! I competed in Cross country running at a high level and was always aware of these possibilities you cannot trust anybody or anything, if he truly did make a mistake by eating contaminated food surely he can try to provide some kind of reference to the company or producer who provided the meat so it can be traced i know its a long shot but is worth it for his career>
also the ban should start from now not back dated he should be stripped of all titles and earnings back dated and serve a 2 or 3 year ban from now this harsh method would help deter other cyclists from doping.
Armstrong has been for years associated with doping! now why if any stage winner is blood tested and samples are kept and masking drugs possibly used in years past hasn't he been found out? if he never does surely he's the greatest cycling talent and story to ever ride the tour if not just for the amazing 7 consecutive titles which i think 8 could of been achieved>
cycling is with out a doubt the most gruelling toughest and demanding sport out there.
Hats off to you elite few
It's ****, UCI - WADA-CAS need to get a balance on this. 40 pictograms is nothing and CAS have admitted that there is no evidence of transfusion and that transfusion was unlikely, they have also admitted that the minute amount found was probably injested by contaminated food.
Eddie Meryx has even condemned the ban, whilst other "big" named riders with Mafia style bully boy lawyers get their investigation stopped, it's crap!!!!
