16 Feb 2011

Contador to race in Giro

3:25 pm on 16 February 2011

Alberto Contador says he will race in the Giro d'Italia after escaping a doping ban, but he's stopped short of confirming he will defend his Tour de France title.

Earlier today the Spanish cycling federation cleared Contador of doping after he tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol at last year's Tour.

The federation's disciplinary committee accepted Contador's defence he unintentionally ate contaminated meat.

Contador won the Giro in 2008 and says he will race a full schedule until the Italian classic, which starts on May 7.

However he expects the committee's decision to be appealed, which could jeopardise his participation in this year's Tour.