UCI to appeal Contador decision

The International Cycling Union announced Thursday it will appeal the Spanish Cycling Federation’s decision to clear Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of doping charges.

The UCI said in a release that the decision to appeal comes after an in-depth study of the Spanish federation’s file on the matter.

A test on July 21, during the second rest day of the Tour de France, found traces of clenbuterol in Contador’s body.

The Spaniard claimed he must have ingested the drug, which is used in some countries to treat asthma and has stimulant effects, through contaminated meat. The Spanish federation handed him a one-year suspension but overturned that decision in February after the Spanish prime minister waded into the affair, saying there was no legal basis for a suspension.