Contador hearing could be delayed until after Tour

Alberto Contador's hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) may be delayed until after this year's Tour de France, potentially allowing the Spaniard to ride in the French Grand Tour in July.

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) had both appealed to CAS after the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) cleared Contador in February after he tested positive for clenbuterol at last year's Tour de France. The CAS hearing was scheduled to take place in June.

Spanish newspaper AS reports that RFEC has aked for a postponement to the hearing in order for it to submit the necessary supporting documentation to CAS.

This would leave the way clear for Contador to race in the 2011 Tour de France in July - if race organiser ASO allows him to take part.

The Spaniard failed a test for clenbuterol during the final rest day of the 2010 Tour in Pau on July 21. He has blamed the positive on consuming a tainted steak brought by a friend from Spain.

Contador is currently leading the 2011 Giro d'Italia, and looks likely to win the race overall when it finishes in Milan on Sunday.

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