News in Brief: Contador Stripped of TdF Title BANNED

Velonews is reporting that the Spanish rider. Alberto Contador, has been banned for one year and stripped of his Tour de France title following an investigation into the rider's positive samples for doping agents.

Contador has dismissed the doping accusations, blaming the test results on "tainted beef".

This makes Andy Schleck, now of Team-Leopard, the official victor of the 2010 Tour de France after Contador took the lead when a chain malfunction forced Schleck out of contention for the GC.

Regardless, a win by default has got to feel like no win at all.

Contador Fails Second Test For Second Illegal Substance

The embattled Tour de France champion, who last week held an emotional press conference to deny the use of clenbuterol, has tested positive for a plasticizer in his blood at levels eight times higher than normal.

A plasticizer is a chemical used in the type of bags employed by the medical profession to store body fluids and indicated Contador my have received an illegal blood transfusion during the Tour. Link

This is no Operacion Puerto, but it is a further indictment of professional cycling.

BREAKING!!! Contador Tests Positive

Three-time Tour de France champion, Alberto Contador has tested positive for clenbuterol

OUCH!!!