Sydney, Feb 16: The Spanish cycling federation has cleared Alberto Contador of doping charges after he tested positive for banned substance clenbuterol at last year’s Tour de France.

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

Contador, who won the Giro in 2008, said in a TV interview that he will race a full schedule until the Italian classic, which begins on May 7.

Contador, however expects the committee’s decision to be appealed, which could jeopardise his participation in this year’s Tour, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

“The truth is today is a good day. It’s been an incredible number of weeks and months that I wouldn’t wish on absolutely anybody - you’d have to have lived these past months to know how it feels,” Contador told Veo7.

“The truth is the damage done to your image is irreparable, with all the stupidities that are said about you,” he said."

The ruling came three weeks after the Spanish federation recommended a reduced one-year suspension rather than the standard two-year penalty.

Contador’s team then pushed for him to be cleared and face no punishment. (ANI)