Alberto Contador today held a press conference to put his side of the case after picking up a two year retrospective ban for a positive clenbuterol test.
The Spaniard, who is now banned until August 6th 2012 so that he misses the Tour De France and Olympics, spoke at a packed press conference at the Hotel Les Artes in Pint.
Contador had always blamed a tainted veal fillet which produced two positive A and B samples for his positive sample which has taken eighteen months to provide a legal decision. received a warm round of applause as he sat down with Saxo Bank team manager Bjarne Rjis.
Rjis said that the case had been going on for far too long and it had affected Contador. The end of his ban is something they are looking forward to but he felt that they could not have done anything differently. We did nothing but follow the rules and Contador was clear to ride. "We as a team have chosen to support Alberto. We will fully continue to support Alberto based on the ruling of CAS. This has nothing to do with conscious cheating and is to do with the accidental intake of something. "
"My dreams have collapsed" said Contador. "There has not been one morning when I asked myself how I got into this mess. I would not wish it on anyone.
"The hardest thing for me is how it has affected my family. I can't understand the decision at all. I have done everything possible to show I am innocent. I have answered all their questions. If there is anything more I could have said tell me and I'll do it.
"It is clear to me that I wasn't doping, the quantity of clenbuterol is not enough to performance enhancing and must have been something I ate.
"I want to leave good memories with the fans. Every single victory has been for the fans and they are the only ones who can tell if I have won or not. I will continue riding and keep clean as I have always done. I would like to thank everyone for their support which has been incredible. Your support has allowed me to continue to keep fighting and I thank my team for all their support and the sponsors for their faith in me. I have nothing else to add."
Picture copyright of Covsupport News Service. Credit CNS/KM