With all eyes focused on the grand jury investigating allegations that Lance Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs, now comes shocking news that Alberto Contador failed a doping control test during the closing stages of the 2010 Tour de France.
Three-time Tour champion Contador, through a spokesman, says that food contamination must be the culprit. He reiterated that position at a press conference [below] on Thursday near his home in Spain.
The UCI, pro cycling's governing body, has “formally and provisionally suspended” Contador. It says further study is needed before any conclusion can be drawn.
The failed drug test was taken on July 21, a rest day in the Pyrenees for the peloton. The next day, Stage 17, saw Andy Schleck unsuccessfully attack Contador numerous times on the Col de Tourmalet in an attempt to win back an 8-second deficit.
Food contamination
Contador was notified of the failed drug test on Aug. 24, according to the spokesman.
“From the time of the first communication from the UCI, August 24, Alberto Contador alleged food contamination as the only possible explanation of what happened and has been turned over to the cyclist authorities since then in the confidence that this very serious problem could be clarified, which now is public.”
“The experts consulted so far have agreed also that this is a food contamination case, especially considering the number of tests passed by Alberto Contador during the Tour de France, making it possible to define precisely both the time the emergence of the substance as the tiny amount detected, ruling out any other source or intentionality.”
Clenbuterol
The drug in question is clenbuterol, a manmade bronchodilator prescribed for asthma patients. Also used as a stimulant, it has been used for weight loss.
The drug is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's Prohibited List, specifically named under “other anabolic agents.”
Chinese cyclist Fuyu Li on the RadioShack cycling team failed a drug test for clenbuterol earlier this year and he also cited food contamination. His B-sample also failed and he faces a two-year ban from cycling.
Previous doping allegations
It's not Contador's first brush with doping allegations. He was one of the cyclists banned from the 2006 Tour de France because of alleged connections to a Spanish doping doctor in the Operacion Puerto scandal. The Spanish court later cleared Contador, in writing, of any connection to the investigation.
We all remember that American Floyd Landis went on to win that 2006 Tour de France, only to be accused of doping and eventually losing his title. Landis finally admitted to the doping this spring.
UCI statement
On Thursday, the UCI released a statement regarding the Contador lab results. It says:
“The UCI confirmed today that Spanish rider Alberto Contador returned an adverse analytical finding for clenbuterol following the analysis of urine sample taken during an in competition test on 21st July 2010 on the second rest day of the Tour de France.
“This result was reported by the WADA accredited laboratory in Cologne to UCI and WADA simultaneously.
“The concentration found by the laboratory was estimated at 50 picograms (or 0,000 000 000 05 grams per ml).
“In view of this very small concentration and in consultation with WADA, the UCI immediately had the proper results management proceedings conducted including the analysis of B sample that confirmed the first result. The rider, who had already put an end to his cycling season before the result was known, was nevertheless formally and provisionally suspended as is prescribed by the World Anti-Doping Code.
“This case required further scientific investigation before any conclusion could be drawn.
“The UCI continues working with the scientific support of WADA to analyse all the elements that are relevant to the case. This further investigation may take some more time.
“In order to protect the integrity of the proceedings and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, the UCI will refrain from making any further comments until the management of this adverse analytical finding has been completed. “
Press conference
Contador told a press conference on Thursday that the positive stemmed from contaminated meat that he was served the day before the test. He was the only cyclist on Astana who ate that meal and was also tested that day, he said.
Also, Contador said that tests before and after July 21 found no chenbuterol, and the amount found on July 21 was a small amount and not enough to affect performance.
Other fallout
In reaction to the allegations regarding Contador:
World time trial silver medalist David Millar, himself suspended for doping early in his career, said people should wait until all the information is out and give Contador the benefit of the doubt.
Former Tour champion Greg Lemond told CyclingNews, “I find it hard to believe that a professional like Alberto Contador would risk a detectable drug. … I don't think this is a black and white drug test. Look at the quantities he was detected with.”
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