The Hindu : Sport / Cycling : UCI looking to clear Contador case ‘quickly'

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UCI looking to clear Contador case ‘quickly'

GEELONG (Australia): World cycling chiefs said they would look to resolve “as quickly as possible” the doping controversy surrounding Tour de France champion Alberto Contador.

Contador has been provisionally suspended by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after he announced on Friday he had tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned substance, during this year's race.

While Contador is claiming he was the victim of contaminated food, some anti-doping experts have suggested the Spaniard may have inadvertently put clenbuterol back into his system through an illegal blood transfusion.

UCI chief Pat McQuaid said Contador, one of the high-profile names in the sport, could have his fate decided by scientists from the union and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Although that process could take months, McQuaid said it needed to be resolved as quickly as possible for the sake of the sport.

“I don't know how long this process is going to take because I don't know what level the results management process is at,” McQuaid said.

“But I do agree that in the interests of our sport we need the Contador case to come to a conclusion as quickly as possible. That is something I will be discussing with (WADA chief) David Howman over this weekend, and trying to find out exactly where it's at.”

Pedrosa operated upon

Meanwhile in Spain, Spanish Moto GP rider Dani Pedrosa, who broke his collarbone in a crash during practice for the Japanese GP, underwent successful surgery on Saturday.

Pedrosa “was operated on” to fix a collarbone that was broken into four pieces, the hospital said in a statement. A titanium plate was attached to the bone. — Agencies

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