Decision on Contador looms

Madrid - The head of the Spanish cycling federation says a decision in Alberto Contador's doping case from the Tour de France should be reached by the end of next week.

Contador failed a doping test on the way to his third Tour title, with the Spanish cyclist blaming the positive clenbuterol result on contaminated meat.

Juan Carlos Castano says the body's disciplinary committee is expected to receive the International Cycling Union's verdict on the case by Monday.

Then it would need several days to finalize its decision on whether to impose a two-year ban on Contador and revoke his Tour title.

But Contador or the UCI then have the right to present further arguments, which could postpone the final decision until mid-February.