10.01.2011 - Following reports in today’s press concerning developments in the case of Alberto Contador – and in particular exchanges between the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Spanish Federation (RFEC) during this stage of the proceedings – the UCI wishes to provide clarification in order to avoid any misunderstanding of the respective roles of the parties involved.

On 10 December 2010, the RFEC sent the UCI documentation relating to the preparation of the case, requesting an opinion by the UCI Anti-Doping Commission on the scientific content of this dossier.

This is completely standard practice, and the UCI welcomed the RFEC's request. The UCI responded by letter on 20 December 2010 – the date of receipt of the dossier – to set a provisional deadline for response of 24 January 2011, subject to a possible extension relating to the translation of the appended documents from Spanish as well as a comprehensive examination of these by the UCI Anti-Doping and Legal departments.

The UCI thus confirms that all the scientific information of the case is currently being studied by the above-mentioned departments and that the RFEC will receive the requested opinion as soon as possible.

The UCI however reiterates that the RFEC's action is purely consultative as the responsibility for the decision at this stage of a disciplinary procedure lies solely with the rider's National Federation.

If necessary, the UCI and the World Anti-Doping Agency have the option to appeal the RFEC’s decision.

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