Contador: "I have never cheated"

Alberto Contador says he is 'relieved and happy' that his suspension from competition relating to a positive anti-doping test for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour de France has been lifted by the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC).

In a statement issued by his Saxo Bank team on Tuesday evening, Contador said: "First of all, I'm relieved and obviously happy about this ruling. It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case, and all the way through I have spoken in accordance with the truth.

"To both the team and the authorities I have explained, that I never cheated or deliberately took a banned substance."

Saxo Bank owner Bjarne Riis also added his expression of relief, but also added that he was aware that the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) or World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) may appeal against the decision to drop Contador's suspension.

"We take note of this decision and fully respect it, but we're also sensitive to the fact, that the parties of this case still have the right to appeal this decision."

"I really want to take this opportunity to emphasize again that nothing in our values has changed. We're still a team that strongly condemn all kind of cheating, including doping. But we will at all times also be a fair team. It is of great importance, that we don't equate conscious cheating and an accidental intake of a banned substance."

Contador is named as part of Saxo Bank's squad for the Tour of the Algarve in Portugal, which starts tomorrow (Wednesday).

The UCI has said that it is awaiting the full dossier from RFEC before making a further decision on the case.

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