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Contador claims positive drug test is 'an error'

Alberto Contador insists his food was contaminated © Getty Images

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Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has responded to his positive drug test by declaring that the result is 'an error'.

Contador tested positive for clenbuterol in July, leading to a provisional suspension as he protests his innocence. A UCI statement read: "The concentration found by the laboratory was estimated at 50 picograms which is 400 times less than what the anti-doping laboratories accredited by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) must be able to detect.

"This case requires further scientific investigation before any conclusion can be drawn. The UCI continues working with the scientific support of WADA to analyse all the elements that are relevant to the case. This further investigation may take some more time."

However, Contador insists that he had already explained himself to the authorities, claiming he had eaten a contaminated piece of meat.

"This is an error," stated Contador. "I was informed of this on August 24 by the UCI and on the 26th I met with them to give my version.

"The organiser of the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon came to the Tour and our cook asked if he could bring some good meat. This person bought this meat in a shop (in Spain) on the way to France. I don't know where the shop gets their meat supply from. He arrived that day and on the afternoon of the 20th (July), a day before our rest day, the meat was cooked.

"(Alexander Vinokourov) went to the [doping] control with me, but he hadn't eaten the meat. Of all the other riders [who ate the meat], none went through the control. I told all of this to UCI. The UCI understands perfectly what has happened. This is a different case because it's a clear case of contamination, incomparable to any other clenbuterol case.

"It's such a minimal amount that it is only possible to come from a food contamination. And in terms of performance it would not be any use at all - any expert can confirm this."

Contador admitted that he knew the story would filter in the public eye, but he is determined to prove he is innocent.

"I'm sad and disappointed but I can hold my head high because with the truth in front of me I can talk loud and clear. I've spent a month and a half keeping this inside, without being able to sleep. My family didn't find out until last night. This is a clear sign that the (control) system is very questionable and needs to be studied.

"I'm not worried that they are putting into doubt my results in the Tour de France, I know how I've done things. But I can't tolerate there being a suspension. I'm not going to allow something like this to ruin all my hard work."

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