A test new to the antidoping movement was used for the first time at the
Tour de France last summer, and now it appears that the three-time Tour winner
Alberto Contador — who tested positive for a banned drug at the race — may have more explaining to do.
<div class="articleInline runaroundLeft"><div class="inlineImage module">
At a news conference in Spain last week, Alberto
Contador discussed his positive test for clenbuterol but denied doping.
</div>
</div>
That new test detects a specific type of chemical, called a plasticizer,
that is found in plastic IV bags. Evidence of that chemical in an
athlete’s urine could mean the athlete has used a blood transfusion to
boost endurance. The World Anti-Doping Agency bans blood transfusions or
any intravenous infusions, except in a medical emergency. </p>
A test performed on at least one of Contador’s urine samples from the
Tour revealed levels of that chemical eight times higher than the
minimum amount that signifies doping, according to a person with
knowledge of the test results. </p>
