Luxembourg rider officially replaces Alberto Contador as race winner

Almost two years after the end of the race, Andy Schleck has today been formally confirmed as the winner of the 2010 Tour de France.



The result was decided on February 6th when the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Alberto Contador’s positive test for Clenbuterol meant that he should be stripped of the title. In awarding Schleck the Maillot Jaune today, Tour organisers ASO have completed the process.



The ceremony was carried out in Luxembourg and marks the second time in the past six years that a crowned winner has ultimately been stripped of the title.



The first was the once-2006 Tour champion Floyd Landis, who was disqualified after testing positive for testosterone. Spanish rider Oscar Pereiro received the jersey instead.



Contador, who appeared to have taken his third Tour title, lost out because trace amounts of Clenbuterol were found in his urine.



He fought the charges, saying that the substance got into his system through contamination of steak he ate during the Tour, and was initially cleared by the Spanish cycling federation RFEC. This enabled him to race last season and to win events such as the Giro d’Italia, but his results since July 2010 were subsequently removed.



Part of his two year ban was backdated, and he is able to return to competition in August. He has said that the Vuelta a Espana is his big target.



The 26 year old Schleck finished second overall in 2009, 2010 and 2011. The second of those two results has now been elevated to Tour victory.



He is currently preparing for this year’s race, but is yet to clock up any significant results in 2012. He has expressed dissatisfaction with what he sees as a Tour route weighted up towards the time trialists rather then the climbers.