Alberto Contador "relieved and happy" about the ruling, which raises interesting questions to some.

Earlier today it was announced that the Spanish Cycling Federation has reversed its decision to ban Team Saxo Bank-SunGard rider Alberto Contador for one year as a result of a positive (non-negative) clenbuterol doping test conducted during the 2010 Tour de France.

The analysis was conducted on urine samples taken from Alberto Contador on July 21st - the 2nd rest day of the 2010 Tour de France.

Based on the evidence in the case and the explanation offered by Alberto Contador about unintentional ingestion of the forbidden substance, The Spanish Federation have decided not to install any ban on the rider.

As a result of this ruling the preliminary suspension of Alberto Contador by the Spanish Cycling Federation and Team Saxo Bank - Sun Gard is lifted with immediate effect, and Alberto Contador is, therefore, fully allowed to return to pro competition.

Contador is expected to return to pro cycling in the 2011 Volta ao Algarve (2011 Tour of the Algarve) in Portugal, which starts tomorrow.

"This decision is indeed proof that the relevant authorities do not find grounds for believing, that Alberto Contador has committed any intentional doping offense, which is absolutely vital for us. So I'm obviously happy on behalf of Alberto (Contador) and the team," Riis Cycling and Team Saxo Bank-SunGard owner Bjarne Riis commented.

"We take note of this decision and fully respect it, but we're also sensitive to the fact, that the parties of this case still have the right to appeal this decision," Bjarne Riis, who himself won the Tour de France once, continued and stated that the team will continue to do its utmost in the fight against doping.

"I really want to take this opportunity to emphasize again that nothing in our values has changed. We're still a team that strongly condemn all kind of cheating, including doping. But we will at all times also be a fair team. It is of great importance, that we don't equate conscious cheating and an accidental intake of a banned substance," Riis concluded.

Contador is obviously both relieved and happy about the ruling in favor of him.

"First of all, I'm relieved and obviously happy about this ruling. It has been some very stressful months for me, but throughout the case I have been totally available for all inquiries in relation to my case, and all the way through I have spoken in accordance with the truth. To both the team and the authorities I have explained, that I never cheated or deliberately took a banned substance," Contador commented.

The acquittal of Contador to some raises the question whether the whole Alberto Contador doping incident was created - or stimulated - in order to play down recent accusations and critique of a "once accused, never acquitted" practice dominating the world of pro cycling as well as questions raised regarding the need for a stronger presence of fair rights and protection of the pro cyclists.

The clearing of Contador is also speculated to have lead to German national television stations ARD and ZDF cancelling their intensive Tour de France coverage and may, therefore, have initiated the beginning of a long-term demise of pro road cycling. The sport of pro cycling may enter a vicious circle where reduced media coverage of the pro cycling races leads to reduced sponsorship revenues for teams and races, which leads to less interesting races, reduced technological developments and less advanced coverage, which again leads to further reduced media coverage, and so on.