The Court of Arbitration for Sport has banned Alberto Contador for two years for doping.
He has been stripped of his 2010 Tour de France victory and, with his suspension running until August 5, will miss this year’s Tour and the Olympics as well as the 38th Tour of the Algarve (Volta ao Algarve) starting next Wednesday in Vale do Lobo.
The Spaniard, 29, was found guilty of doping after testing positive for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour. He has maintained that the failed test was a result of eating contaminated meat. Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, who finished second to Contador in the 2010 Tour de France, is set to be elevated to champion.
Contador’s ban is backdated to January 25, 2011, the date the Spanish Cycling Federation initially proposed a one-year ban, which was rejected by Contador who is one of only five cyclists to win the three Grand Tours – the Tour de France, the Italian Giro and the Spanish Vuelta.
VOLTA DO ALGARVE SCHEDULE
1st Stage
February 15 – 151 KM 12H00
Start: Dunas Douradas (Vale do Lobo)
Finish: Câmara Municipal de Albufeira
2nd Stage
FARO – LAGOA
February 16 – 187.5 KM 11H00
Start: Largo de S. Francisco (Faro)
Finish: Câmara Municipal de Lagoa.
3rd Stage
CASTRO MARIM – MALHÃO (Loulé)
February 17 – 194.6 KM 11H00
Start: Parque de Feiras de Castro Marim
Finish: Alto do Malhão.
4th Stage
VILAMOURA – TAVIRA
February 18 – 186.3 KM 11H00
Start: Marina de Vilamoura
Finish: Av. Dr. Eduardo Mansinho, Tavira
5th Stage:
LAGOA – PORTIMÃO
February 19 -25.8 KM 12H30
Start: Fatacil( Lagoa )
Finish: Rua Serpa Pinto
The route for each stage can be found at: www.voltaalgarve.com
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