UCI calls for understanding on Alberto Contador

THE world cycling body today backed calls for Alberto Contador to be presumed innocent of doping until proven guilty.

Alberto Contador has been cleared

THE world cycling body today backed calls for Alberto Contador to be presumed innocent of doping until proven guilty.

It comes as the Spaniard prepares to defend the Tour de France yellow jersey next month.

Contador, who was joined by Saxo Bank-Sunguard team mate Richie Porte and team director Bradley McGee in the French Alps this week, will be a definite starter in the Vendee region of western France on July 2 looking to do the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double in the same year.

Questions have been raised over whether Contador should be allowed to race after having tested positive to the banend substance clenbuterol in last year's Tour de France.

But Contador was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Spanish federation after it accepted his claim that he ingested the banned substance through contaminated meat.

Both the International Cycling Union and the World Anti-Doping Agency have since appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The appeal is set down for a three day hearing from August 1 with Contador understood he will call up to 20 witnesses in his defence.

In a statement released to the media earlier today, UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani called for understanding of the case and for Contador to be treated like any other athlete.

"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," Carpani said in the statement.

"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."

Following a management committee meeting in Maastricht, the UCI said the "excessively long” process of considering the Contador case was “the logical result of the need for justice to be administered properly".

Santos Tour Down Under director Mike Turtur is a member of the UCI executive.

John Coates, president of the Australian Olympic Committee, as a senior member of CAS, may well be called to sit in judgment.

 Earlier this week IOC president Jacques Rogge said while there was a question mark on the validity of the result: "there is still a presumption of innocence".

Carpani agrees.

"Alberto Contador has the statutory right to take part in any competition insofar as he has not been found guilty by the CAS," he said.

"The UCI, which has always persevered in seeking out the truth, is ready to accept its responsibilities and is also keen to see the swiftest possible conclusion to the matter.

"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."