• Cycling

Contador faces one-year doping ban

ESPN staff
January 26, 2011
Alberto Contador has won the Tour de France on three occasions © Getty Images
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Alberto Contador could be stripped of his Tour de France title after being informed by the Spanish Cycling Federation it is proposing a one-year ban for failing a doping test at last year's Tour de France.

Contador tested positive for the banned steroid clenbuterol in July, before going on to win his third yellow jersey.

He was provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in August, and the Spanish Federation has told him it is recommending a one-year ban.

A spokesman for the three-time Tour de France winner confirmed the news. The Madrid-born rider has 10 days to appeal the ruling.

The spokesman's statement said: "Alberto Contador has received a notification of a one-year ban proposal by the competition committee of the Spanish federation and therefore, together with [Saxo Bank team manager] Bjarne Riis, a press conference will be held on Friday, January 28, at 1600 hours, at the Hotel Son Net in Palma de Mallorca, to express their opinion about this case."

Contador has protested his innocence, claiming the positive test was as a result of contaminated meat. Should Contador be banned, the 2010 Tour de France title would go to runner-up Andy Schleck.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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