Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Riis Cycling Press Release concerning Alberto Contador

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Tuesday, 15 February 2011 18:20

Written by Luca Salvatelli

The Spanish Cycling Federation finally clears Alberto Contador in clenbuterol case.

Today Riis Cycling received the result of the final ruling of the Spanish Cycling Federation in the case concerning Alberto Contador.

During the 2010 Tour de France, Alberto Contador, while riding for Astana, returned an adverse analytical finding for clenbuterol following the analysis of urine samples taken on July 21st, the second rest day of the Tour.

Based on the evidence in the case and the explanation offered by Alberto Contador about unintentional ingestion of the forbidden substance, The Spanish Federation have decided not to install any ban on the rider.

As a result of this ruling the preliminary suspension of Alberto Contador is lifted with immediate effect, and Alberto Contador is free to participate in competitions again.

"First of all, I'm relieved and obviously happy about this ruling. It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case, and all the way through I have spoken in accordance with the truth. To both the team and the authorities I have explained, that I never cheated or deliberately took a banned substance," says Alberto Contador.

"This decision is indeed proof that the relevant authorities do not find grounds for believing, that Alberto Contador has committed any intentional doping offence, which is absolutely vital for us. So I'm obviously happy on behalf of Alberto and the team. We take note of this decision and fully respect it, but we're also sensitive to the fact, that the parties of this case still have the right to appeal this decision," says team owner Bjarne Riis and states that the team will continue to do its utmost in the fight against doping.

"I really want to take this opportunity to emphasize again that nothing in our values has changed. We're still a team that strongly condemn all kind of cheating, including doping. But we will at all times also be a fair team. It is of great importance, that we don't equate conscious cheating and an accidental intake of a banned substance," adds Bjarne Riis.

Riis Cycling has always held a strong stance against doping in our sport. The team has been at the forefront of the fight against doping, implementing the first private anti-doping program to be certified by WADA. The origins of the UCI's current Biological Passport can be found in Riis Cycling's original anti-doping program.