Professional cyclist Alberto Contador, who rides for the Saxo Bank team, will not be facing a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing in June of this year, according to a CAS press release.
The Spanish rider’s case, which stems from his positive test for Clenbuterol, a growth hormone, has been postponed, possibly until after the 2011 cycling season according to Europsport.
The CAS agreed to delay the hearing “in order to give to all parties concerned reasonable time to prepare for such hearing and to guarantee the participation in person of witnesses and experts,” according to its website.
Whatever the legal maneuverings behind the decision, this will allow Contador to compete in the 2011 Tour de France.
Contador tested positive for Clenbuterol after winning the 2010 Tour de France, but blamed the result on contaminated beef (clenbuterol, though banned, is used by some farmers to increase yield.)
The Royal Spanish Cycling Federation heard his case and judged him innocent, but the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Union Cycliste Internationale appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
If judged guilty, Contador would be stripped of his 201 Tour de France title.
If he competes in, and wins the 2011 Tour before the hearing, likely he would also be stripped of that title, as well as of the 2011 Giro d’Italia which he is likely to win on Sunday as he holds a sizeable lead.
“All I’m thinking about right now is winning the (leader’s) pink jersey,” Contador said Thursday after the 18th stage of the Giro, according to AP. “I’m not thinking of anything else. I think we will have a strong team (for the Tour) that will be capable of doing great things.”
The delay, whatever its reasons, benefits Alberto Contador as well as professional cycling in general. Had the hearing not been postponed, it could have interfered with the Saxo Bank rider’s training schedule or even kept him out of the Tour, even if he were found innocent.
Further, Contador’s presence in the Tour de France makes it much more competitive, and much more appealing for fans. No rider would want a Tour win knowing the Three-time winner from Spain was not on peak form, and for fans, Contador’s participation ensures exciting battles particularly in the mountain stages.
The Spanish rider’s case, which stems from his positive test for Clenbuterol, a growth hormone, has been postponed, possibly until after the 2011 cycling season according to Europsport.
The CAS agreed to delay the hearing “in order to give to all parties concerned reasonable time to prepare for such hearing and to guarantee the participation in person of witnesses and experts,” according to its website.
Whatever the legal maneuverings behind the decision, this will allow Contador to compete in the 2011 Tour de France.
Contador tested positive for Clenbuterol after winning the 2010 Tour de France, but blamed the result on contaminated beef (clenbuterol, though banned, is used by some farmers to increase yield.)
The Royal Spanish Cycling Federation heard his case and judged him innocent, but the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Union Cycliste Internationale appealed this decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
If judged guilty, Contador would be stripped of his 201 Tour de France title.
If he competes in, and wins the 2011 Tour before the hearing, likely he would also be stripped of that title, as well as of the 2011 Giro d’Italia which he is likely to win on Sunday as he holds a sizeable lead.
“All I’m thinking about right now is winning the (leader’s) pink jersey,” Contador said Thursday after the 18th stage of the Giro, according to AP. “I’m not thinking of anything else. I think we will have a strong team (for the Tour) that will be capable of doing great things.”
The delay, whatever its reasons, benefits Alberto Contador as well as professional cycling in general. Had the hearing not been postponed, it could have interfered with the Saxo Bank rider’s training schedule or even kept him out of the Tour, even if he were found innocent.
Further, Contador’s presence in the Tour de France makes it much more competitive, and much more appealing for fans. No rider would want a Tour win knowing the Three-time winner from Spain was not on peak form, and for fans, Contador’s participation ensures exciting battles particularly in the mountain stages.
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