The international cycling union UCI asked the Spanish Cycling Federation RFEC yesterday to launch disciplinary proceedings against Tour de France winner Alberto Contador. It is now up to the Spanish federation to determine whether the UCI anti-doping rules were infringed by Contador. This procedure may take up to three months.

The case is being "treated immediately", is the first reaction of the RFEC, who today has received all evidence of the UCI and WADA and vows "in accordance with the UCI, within strict limits of the authority, all necessary measures to investigate and solve the problem resulted from the doping of July 21, 2010."

In a first reaction the president of the Spanish cycling federation, Juan Carlos Castaņo, says that anything can happen, and that despite the given period of three months a rapid assessment is expected that depends on the attitude of the parties. He also understands the situation Contador is in: "The rider has undergone much damage within the past three months." "Personally, as chairman of the federation, I would like to see the matter resolved in favor of the rider, for many reasons."

Besides finding the truth in the matter Contador, another remarkable facet is noted in the UCI report. Although the rules must be strictly observed, the UCI has given the Spanish federation a 'lifeline to Contador' by admitting to the extremely small amount that was found. Subsequent blood and urine tests by WADA seem to have revealed nothing more than the findings of the first A and B-test that confirmed the 50 picogram quantity of Clenbuterol.

The expected verdict will range between a reprimand and two years suspension. When the Spanish cycling federation reaches its final verdict, both the UCI and Contador can still appeal to CAS as a last resort. Until then, Contador remains temporarily suspended.

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Links: Alberto Contador Velasco