Alberto Contador reiterated his innocence

The 27-year-old Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador is facing a two-year ban and risks losing his third Tour de France title after testing positive for the banned drug clenbuterol, which he claims came from contaminated meat.
Contador labeled the charges as "absolutely ridiculous"felt the entire episode had discredited him, and reiterated his innocence over his failed doping test at the 2010 Tour de France and slammed Team Astana for abandoning him once the news broke. 

"I don't doubt [my innocence] for one second because I did not do anything irregular at any time," Contador said in an interview broadcast by Spanish national broadcaster TVE. "Never."

He looked to be fighting back tears when asked if he would follow up his threat to quit the sport if punished.

"It's early to say that but," said Contador, stopping to reflect on his words with his voice cracking. "I can't say for sure ... that I'll continue."

Contador took a swipe at his Kahzak-based team for failing to provide any support after he announced in September that he had failed a July 21 drug test. Contador had signed a two-year deal to ride with Danish outfit Saxo Bank from 2011 by that point.

"I've always given my most in every event over the last three years," said Contador, who rode for Astana over that time but was unable to defend his 2007 Tour title after it was barred due to a number of doping scandals.
"[But] it was no surprise to me" they have failed to defend him.

Contador is hoping a decision on his case by the Spanish cycling federation's disciplinary committee will be reached before the end of the year but still expected the case to stretch regardless of the verdict.

"I've never thought that this won't be resolved in a favorable way -- I can't go on thinking any other way," Contador said, adding he will meet with the disciplinary committee on Friday.

Contador, who is accused of using the muscle-building and weight-loss drug from a test taken one day before a crucial mountain stage, also won the Tour in 2007 and '09 for Astana. The beef was bought from the Spanish border town of Irun.

He added that he had been exchanging messages with Tour de France runner-up Andy Schleck (Team Leopard Racing/Luxembourg Pro Cycling Project) throughout the ordeal.

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