MADRID, Feb 15, 2011 (AFP) – Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto
Contador said Tuesday he was “relieved and happy” after Spain’s cycling
federation cleared him of knowingly using a banned substance.

“First of all, I’m relieved and obviously happy about this ruling,” he was
quoted as saying in a statement from his Team Saxo Bank.

“It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I
have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case, and all
the way through I have spoken in accordance with the truth.

“To both the team and the authorities I have explained, that I never
cheated or deliberately took a banned substance.”

Contador’s future has hung in the balance since he announced last August he
had tested positive for minute traces of the banned substance clenbuterol
during last July’s Tour de France.

The Spaniard has repeatedly denied knowingly taking any banned drugs,
blaming the result on a steak he says was contaminated with traces of the
clenbuterol.

The RFEC on Tuesday dropped the case against him.

The decision marked an about-turn for the federation, which last month had
recommended a one-year ban for Contador, a ruling that would have stripped him
of his 2010 Tour de France title.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World Doping Agency (WADA)
have one month to decide if they concur with the RFEC decision, or if they
want to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

UCI president Pat McQuaid, said as he prepared to head out to the Tour of
Oman that he would not be commenting on the Contador case.

Speaking from Abu Dhabi, McQuaid said he would not comment other than to
note the UCI had 30 days to decide whether or not to bring an appeal.