PRESS RELEASE: During routine drug testing at the 2010 Tour de France, some urine samples provided by Alberto Contador tested positive for trace concentrations of Clenbuterol, a substance that, in much higher concentrations, can enhance performance.
Alberto never knowingly ingested Clenbuterol.
An independent expert opinion from Dr. Douwe de Boer of The Netherlands (attached) and the facts of the situation point to Alberto accidentally ingesting Clenbuterol by eating contaminated meat. The trace amounts and timing of detection also show that Alberto could never have received a performance enhancement of Clenbuterol.
Following is a condensed version of Dr. Douwe de Boer’s expert opinion:
Alberto Contador underwent sport drug testing during many days of the 2010 Tour de France, including July 19, 20, 21, and 22.
No Clenbuterol was detected in any of the tests prior to July 21.
An extremely low trace concentration of Clenbuterol was found in the urine sample taken on July 21; the concentration found in the urine sample taken on July 22 was even lower.
The half-life of Clenbuterol is 25-39 hours.
These facts show that Clenbuterol was ingested after the urine testing on July 20 in an amount that could have never enhanced his performance.
There are numerous documented cases of humans ingesting Clenbuterol accidentally by eating meat from animals that have been fed the substance to stimulate growth.
Alberto is holding a press conference on September 30 at 12:00 p.m. in Pinto, Spain to explain this matter further.
