• Tour de France

Wiggins fumes at fresh delay in Contador doping case

Alberto Contador played a pivotal role in the 2011 Tour de France, which was won by Cadel Evans © PA Photos

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Bradley Wiggins has reacted angrily to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's decision to postpone Alberto Contador's doping case from the 2010 Tour de France.

The CAS announced on Tuesday that Contador's case, due to be heard next week, has been rescheduled and will likely take place in November to allow all parties to "complete their evidence".

He is waiting to discover whether the CAS will reverse a Spanish Cycling Federation decision to exonerate him following a positive test for clenbuterol on the final rest day of the 2010 Tour. If the court rules against Contador, who finished top of the general classification in last year's race, he faces a two-year suspension - and the loss of his title.

The latest delay is a source of concern to Wiggins, as Contador played a decisive role in the outcome of this year's Tour. The 28-year-old Spaniard's surge on the Alps resulted in Thomas Voeckler giving up the yellow jersey after attempting, and failing, to keep up with the pace.

"Whether he's innocent or guilty or whatever, it's almost irrelevant now," he said. "A decision needs to be made either way. It's not fair on the events he's competing in. He had an outcome on the Tour de France last week, one way or another.

"He wasn't the best Contador we've seen, but him attacking on the Telegraphe changed the whole race. Voeckler went after him, Voeckler cracked and Voeckler probably lost the opportunity to be on the podium because Contador was in that race.

"Is that fair? Should he be in the race? If he's innocent, fair enough, he should be allowed to race. But if he's not and this decision hasn't been made, then essentially he's been affecting the outcome of every race he's ridden for the last six months - and that isn't fair.

"That changes peoples lives, changes people's careers, changes people's salaries and Voeckler's missed the podium of the Tour de France."

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