UCI had no choice over Contador appeal

International Cycling Union chief Pat McQuaid said the UCI had been left with no choice but to appeal the decision by the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) to clear Alberto Contador of knowingly using a banned substance.

McQuaid said he believes the case has suffered from political interference in Spain, where three-time Tour de France champion Contador received support from those in high government.

And the Irishman insisted the UCI was doing the right thing by appealing the RFEC decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), to ensure the fairest possible outcome for the sport, the Tour de France and Contador himself.

“The only way to ensure that we get a credible and just and fair result is to take it to a higher authority, which for us is CAS, that has the capacity to deal with this case and which the sports family will accept,” McQuaid told AFP.

“I’m aware he (Contador) is going to make a strong (defence) case... but the way the proceedings went in Spain meant that we really had no option to do what we did.

“They (Spanish cycling federation) also received a huge amount of pressure from political sources, including the Prime Minister, saying he shouldn’t be sanctioned.

“Obviously, he’s an athlete of very high standing in Spain. But when you get the Spanish Prime Minister and the president of the Spanish Olympic Committee intervening and making statements when they don’t know the facts of the case, it’s just not right.”

McQuaid said: “Even though the Spanish federation told us that (political pressure) had no effect on their decision (to clear Contador) we will never really know that.

“And the public and the cycling fans and cycling family will never really know.”

Contador’s future has hung in the balance since he tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol at the 2010 Tour de France.

After he declared his innocence, and blamed the tiny amounts of clenbuterol found in his urine on a contaminated steak, the RFEC cleared Contador to compete last month.

The UCI had a month to appeal that decision to top sports court CAS, and did so on Thursday’s deadline.

Contador, who is currently competing at the Tour of Catalonia where he is leading the race, has vowed to quit cycling if he is handed a two-year ban.

McQuaid insisted that the UCI is not out to end the Spaniard’s career.

“That’s fine for us (if CAS rules in Contador’s favour), everyone can understand and accept that,” he added.