MADRID, Feb 11, 2011 (AFP) – The International Cycling Union (UCI) said
Friday it expects the Spanish cycling federation to make any decision on
sanctioning doping suspect Alberto Contador in a “composed manner”.

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

Despite repeatedly denying taking any banned substances, blaming the result
on food contamination, it increasingly looks like stage racing’s biggest
talent will be banned.

The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) made a proposal last month to ban
Contador for a year, an offer which was seen by experts as a compromise deal.

However Contador immediately vowed to appeal the ban, insisting he had done
nothing wrong.

On Thursday the 28-year-old Spaniard hit out at the RFEC, claiming it was
buckling under pressure from the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the
World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to ban him.

In what appeared to be a reaction to Contador’s blast, UCI spokesman Enrico
Carpani said Friday: “We have full confidence that when the Spanish federation
makes its decision it will have done so in a composed manner.”

He hinted that despite the uncertainty over Contador’s positive — only
minute traces of clenbuterol, not enough to enhance his performance in itself,
were found — the UCI would show no quarter, reminding media that a
clenbuterol positive usually leads to a two-year ban.

Contador hit out Thursday at the RFEC for even proposing to ban him for a
year.

“The UCI and WADA exerted a lot of pressure before that proposal” from the
RFEC was made on January 26,” the Spaniard said in an interview with the
Spanish news agency EFE.

“The RFEC knows I’ve always advocated an anti-doping stance. Everyone knows
what’s going on, but now I’m in a position where I’m facing a ban. It really
makes you lose confidence” in the system.

“I’m disgusted… I feel really let down by the attitude of the federation.
This case has become way too politicized and it has prejudiced my case.”

On Thursday Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero got behind
the famous cyclist, claiming “there is no legal reason to sanction Contador.”

The RFEC is expected to come to a decision by mid-February. If the UCI does
not agree with whatever sanction is handed down it can appeal the Court of
Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to seek the punishment it believes Contador merits.
Contador also has the possibility to appeal to CAS.