Alberto Contador submits defense documents in doping case

By Julien Pretot

PARIS (Reuters) – Three-times Tour de France champion Alberto Contador has submitted documents which he says prove that a piece of contaminated meat is to blame for his failed dope test, a source close to the Spaniard said on Friday.

The source, who is not authorized to speak publicly about the case and therefore declined to be named, told Reuters Contador handed over all "necessary documents" to the Spanish federation on Friday.

Contador, who failed a test for the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol during this year's Tour, could lose his title if found guilty by the Spanish federation, who are expected to announce a decision within three months.

The 27-year-old Contador, one of only five men with victories in all three grand Tours (France, Italy and Spain), could face a two-year ban from the sport.

He said on Thursday he would consider quitting the sport if he was suspended after claiming he ate a piece of Spanish meat that was contaminated by the stimulant clenbuterol before his positive test.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ken Ferris)


Astana team rider and Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain shows his yellow jersey to the crowd during an official welcoming ceremony in his hometown of Pinto, outside Madrid, July 26, 2010.

From http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20101126/...oping_contador