Alberto Contador's Clenbuterol Timeline

Alberto Contador has announced his intentions to compete in the 2012 Tour de France and Olympic Games. However his entry hangs in the balance, depending on the verdict in his pending Clenbuterol case. In case you have been under a rock for the past year, here is a timeline from failed test to CAS hearing.

21^st July 2010  – Contador takes a test on the second rest day, during the Tour de France, after dinner with the team.

30^th September 2010 – It is revealed that the test taken on 21^st July, during the Tour de France, had tested positive for micro levels of Clenbuterol. Contador immediately calls a press conference and says the stray clenbuterol came from contaminated steak.

6^th October 2011 – Dr Jordi Segura, who developed the testing method that found the minimal levels of Clenbuterol in Contador’s blood, says the plasticizers also found are a certain indication of a blood transfusion. It has never been officially confirmed that plasticizers were found, however, the New York Times and L’Equipe printed these claims.

27th January 2011 – President of the Spanish Cycling Federation, Juan Carlos Castano, tells Spanish radio station, Tablero Deportivo, that he has recommended a one-year ban for El Pistolero. Contador has also indicated that he may retire from cycling, if he is banned from the sport.

30^th January 2011 – Contador decided to leave a Saxo Bank training camp and return to his home town of Pinto, to be close to his family.

8^th February 2011 – Contador submits an appeal against the proposal to ban him for one year. He also holds another press conference to tell the world of his intentions.

15^th February 2011 – The Spanish Cycling Federation overturns their decision and clear Contador of doping and give him the all clear to race again.

24^th March 2011 – The UCI say they will appeal the decision to clear Contador of his doping charges at the Court of Sporting Arbitration. WADA then put their hat in the ring and decide to appeal the decision also. The hearing is pencilled in for later in the year, in June.

7^th May 2011 – Despite the ongoing inquiry in to his positive test, for Clenbuterol, Contador is allowed to compete in the Giro d’Italia and goes on to win the event by over 6 minutes.

26th May 2011 – CAS delay the appeal hearing date, to give both parties time to prepare properly for it. The hearing has been postponed until September and Contador will be allowed to compete in the Tour de France.

26^th July 2011 – Two months after announcing the delay in the hearing, CAS announce another postponement. Contador’s case will now be heard in November.

17^th September 2011 – WADA announce their consideration for relaxing the absolute ban on Clenbuterol. The World Anti-Doping Agency made the announcement, after a string of riders claiming their positive test has come from contaminated beef.

24^th November 2011 – The four day hearing in to Contador’s positive Clenbuterol test and the three-time Tour de France champion will have to wait until the New Year to find out the result. If the UCI and WADA get their way, Contador will have a two-year ban and won’t be able to compete in next year’s Olympic Games.