Contador could race Tour after CAS delay

PARIS, May 31 (Reuters) - Triple Tour de France champion
Alberto Contador could take part in this year's race after his
hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport over a failed
dope test was postponed until August.

CAS said on its website (www.tas-cas.org) on Tuesday that
Contador's hearing would take place from August 1-3. The Tour de
France runs from July 2-24.

Spaniard Contador, who tested positive for the banned
anabolic agent clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour, was cleared by
the Spanish federation (RFEC) but the International Cycling
Union (UCI) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appealed the
decision.

Until CAS gives its verdict, Contador, who won the Giro
d'Italia last Sunday, is allowed to race.

The SaxoBank-Sungard rider, one of only five men with titles
in all three grand tours, is to aim for a first Giro/Tour double
since Marco Pantani's in 1998, according to his team manager
Bjarne Riis.

Contador, however, hinted last weekend he was unsure he
would ride the Tour.

According to UCI regulations, Tour de France organisers can
ban a rider from entering the race if they feel he may tarnish
the event's image.

In 2009, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) tried to bar former
world champion Tom Boonen from entering the race after the
Belgian tested positive for cocaine in an out-of-competition
test.

Boonen appealed the decision before CAS, who overruled ASO's
decision following an emergency hearing.

Tour de France organisers said they would contact Reuters
later on Tuesday.     

If found guilty, Contador, who denies any wrongdoing, faces
a possible two-year ban and will be stripped of his 2010 Tour
title.