Contador leaves Saxo Bank-SunGard training camp

Alberto Contador faces the press on Friday.

Alberto Contador faces the press on Friday. (Image credit: AFP)

Alberto Contador has left the Saxo Bank-SunGard training camp and returned home to Pinto near Madrid. The Spaniard is facing a one-year ban for a positive doping control from the 2010 Tour de France.

“I think it's best at this time to go back to my family,” he told reporters.  “I hope and I'm sure that I will be back with you here soon.”

Contador was with his new team at a training camp in Mallorca when he was informed of the impending ban by the Spanish cycling federation on Wednesday.

On Friday afternoon he held a press conference with team owner Bjarne Riis.  He repeated his innocence of doping charges, and said that he would appeal the ban, which he must do within 10 days of receiving notification.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1