Alberto Contador cleared after drug detection scandal

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has been cleared of ingesting illegal substances by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) following drug detection.

Last July, a drug detection test found traces of anabolic agent Clenbuterol - which helps with body fat reduction and can improve aerobic capacity - in the Spaniard's system.

He was suspended, with the case coming to light in September, but the 28-year-old maintained the adverse finding was due to contaminated meat he had eaten while on tour.

A spokesman for Contador has now confirmed the athlete will not face a ban and the cyclist himself stated on his Saxo Bank-Sungard team's website that he is "relieved and obviously happy".

"It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case," he added.

This came after fellow cyclist David Garcia received a two-year ban after drug detection procedures found prohibited blood booster erythropoietin in a sample.