Contador’s CAS hearing moved again to November

Once again, Alberto Contador’s Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing has been postponed and has now been moved to November. Originally, the hearing, which pitted the International Cycling Union and the World Anti-Doping Agency against the Spanish cycling federation for overturning Contador’s clenbuterol suspension, was scheduled for June. When it was moved to early August, Contador was cleared to race for his fourth Tour de France title.

Initially, there were a lot of boos for Contador at the Tour, but as it began to look like he’d lose his title – and because he animated the race on several occasions in the final week – the crowds began to warm up to the Spanish rider. Recently, both Contador and the Tour’s 6th place finisher and King of the Mountains Sammy Sanchez announced they were too exhausted to contest the Vuelta a Espana which begins on August 20. Even with this respite, it’s doubtful that Contador would reconsider.

One rider who has made the pre-selection for the Vuelta is Vacansoleil’s controversial Ezequiel Mosquera. Mosquera, who finished runner-up to Vincenzo Nibali in last year’s Vuelta, has been under investigation by the Spanish cycling federation since April after testing positive for the “specified substance” Hydroxyethyl starch, often a masking agent for EPO. Vacansoleil has pointed out that Mosquera will only start if his case is closed and he’s acquitted.