Alberto Contador's 2010 Tour de France victory remains in doubt after the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the decision of the Spanish federation to acquit him on doping charges stemming from a clenbuterol positive from last July.
Because the CAS, which has the ultimate authority to rule on Contador's innocence or guilt, will not decide the verdict until August, Contador will participate in the Tour de France before the case is settled.
"As it has already done on several occasions, the UCI recognises the legitimacy of the request made by Mr Contador's defence team, and has accepted that request in the interests of guaranteeing the rider a fair trial," the UCI press release stated. "However, the UCI also perfectly understands why the timetable set by the Court of Arbitration for Sport has caused some disappointment, even incomprehension, among many observers within the cycling community as well as the general public.
"The Management Committee is aware that, objectively, the duration of the proceedings, which might be considered excessively long, is the logical result of the need for justice to be administered properly."
The released asked media and fans to "show the utmost sense of responsibility in the coming days and weeks", and reiterated Contador's right to continue to compete "insofar as he has not been found guilty by the CAS".
The UCI did announce previously that it would seek the disqualification of all of Contador's results from this season should the CAS decide he is guilty of a doping offence.
"Until that time, the UCI Management Committee asks that we respect Alberto Contador's right to be treated like every other rider who takes the start of the Tour de France.
"The prestige of the event warrants it, and the dignity of all athletes demands it. "
Note: The above article was directly copied from the linked site. I did not write this article. (http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-calls-for-respect-in-contador-case-ahead-of-tour-de-france?ns_campaign=news&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=cyclingnews&ns_linkname=0&ns_fee=0)
My thoughts:
Seven-time Tour de France Champion, Lance Armstrong, is under suspicion that he was using enhancers during his victories, however it can not be proven. His former teammate, Tyler Hamiltion, who has already been convicted of using performance enhancers, and served his ban of the sport, came forward and publicly announced that Armstrong was doing the same thing; he has just never been caught. Armstrong has given COUNTLESS urine samples and only once, allegedly did something turn up...and although the sample was from years ago and had already been labeled negative, the officials are unfreezing the sample to test it again. His championships have not been revoked yet, however they could be if the sample comes back positive, which I'm sure the French officials hope. I mean they continuously made the race harder and harder in hopes of knocking Armstrong out.
However, Alberto Contador swears up and down that he tested positive for drugs only because of some meat he ate the night before. Whether that is true or not, and I really don't have an opinion on, but the UCI feels it could be likely. Otherwise Contador would have already been stripped of his 1st place victory. Instead, the hearing is after this year's Tour. Now granted, they may have set that up so that they could get the chance of stripping him of two titles, or to continue to monitor and test him. I guess time will tell. Although I am hoping he is cleared. It's nice to see other riders that learned under Armstrong show the determination and achievements of their predecessor. I'm crossing my fingers for you Alberto! I'm hoping you have another amazing Tour victory!!!
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