Back in September, three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador tested positive for a banned substance. On Wednesday, the Spanish cyclist received his punishment. Contador was handed a one-year ban from cycling and he's been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title. He has 10 days to appeal.
If the ruling is upheld, Contador will be just the second Tour champion to be stripped of his title, joining American Floyd Landis, who lost his 2006 title for doping. And it would mean the 2010 winner would then be Andy Schleck, who finished second.
Contador's positive test in September was for Clenbuterol, "a stimulant used to treat allergies and asthma, and is also used as a weight loss supplement."
Contador has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that he "unknowingly ingested the clenbuterol from beef brought from Spain to France during the second rest day of the Tour." It is considered an anabolic agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Upon learning the verdict, Contador issued a (very) brief statement, announcing he will hold a press conference on Jan. 28 team Saxo Bank director Bjarne Riis "to express their opinion about this case."
SB Nation's excellent cycling blog, Podium Cafe, is asking aloud if the ruling is fair, and so far half of the voters say no -- Contador should have received a two year ban.
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