Instead he has just submitted his defence documents on Friday 26th November 2010 in his aim to salvage what has been a brilliant career for the Spaniard so far. Contador has been locked in battle with the Union Cycliste International (UCI – Cycling governing body) since he tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol in September. So how has el pistolero’s season gone from riding high to down in the dumps?
Three-Times Tour de France Winner
On July 25th he won his third Tour de France title after an enthralling battle with Andy Schleck, despite not winning a single stage. He had received some criticism during the race when he launched an attack while Schleck was stopped by a chain problem. This was pretty much his last race of the season after deciding not to ride the Vuelta a Espana or the World Championships and ending his year early.
It was revealed on September 30th that the Spaniard had tested positive for the substance clenbuterol a month after he had been informed. The drugs test was taken days before the final stage in to Paris while the riders were resting in Pau. Immediately after the announcement Contador held a press conference in front of hoards of media blaming some contaminated meat on the positive test. The amount of the substance detected was 50 picograms which can be detected at very few laboratories around the world.
From Bad to Worse
The only other Astana rider tested that day was Alexander Vinokorov, who didn’t have the meat as he’d eaten earlier. Contador was immediately suspended from the sport pending the result of the investigation. Adding insult to injury French newspaper L’Equipe claimed a day later that the same sample that had tested positive for clenbuterol also indicated use of an intravenous bag and the possibility of a blood transfusion. An investigation was also launched in to where the supposedly contaminated meat came from.
The Spaniard continued to keep his head down when he decided to miss the announcement of the 2011 Tour de France route. On November 10th Contador showed his intentions of getting his name cleared when he hired the same lawyer who cleared Franco Pellizotti of biological passport irregularities.
Knocked by WADA Report
His defence was knocked when the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) produced a report for the UCI strongly disputing the contaminated meat theory. The report stated the only 300,000 meat samples in the whole of Europe tested positive for clenbuterol. The Spanish Beef Federation has also requested that Contador make a legal accusation that the meat was contaminated as the substance is banned in Europe.
Before submitting his legal documents Contador claimed he would quit the sport if he is found guilty of doping. If he is found guilty he could face a two year ban which would surely struggle to come back from and would ruin his name. His 2010 Tour de France title would also be handed to Schleck if he can’t convince the UCI to clear him.
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