ICU may appeal Contador ruling

International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid has confirmed the body are considering an appeal against Alberto Contador's exoneration.

Three-time Tour de France winner Contador tested positive for a small amount of banned substance clenbuterol in July 2010.

The 28-year-old Spaniard avoided a ban after the Spanish Cycling Federation agreed in a hearing on February 15 that he did not knowingly ingest the substance.

Contador claims clenbuterol entered his system through contaminated meat.

But the ICU and World Anti-doping Agency can appeal against the Spanish federation's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"Well, the situation is that we received the full file from the Spanish federation on the 24th of February, a couple of days ago, a week ago, and that we have thirty days, we have until the 24th of March to study the file," McQuaid said.

"I don't want to give an opinion, I can't give an opinion over whether he is guilty or not guilty or what the situation is except to say that the case is difficult for cycling because until such a time as it's regulated it's like a cloud over our head, until such time as it's regulated we can move forward and move forward from it."

Unlike the ICU, WADA have until April 24 to lodge an appeal.