Danish cyclist acquitted of clenbuterol doping

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s anti-doping body has acquitted cyclist Philip Nielsen after a positive test for clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour of Mexico.

Torben Jessen of the Danish sports federation’s doping board said Tuesday that Nielsen didn’t know there was a risk when he ate beef contaminated with clenbuterol.

Jessen said there was “no reason” to ban him, and the board lifted the suspension imposed by UCI, cycling’s governing body.

Nielsen was a member of Team Concordia when he rode in the Tour of Mexico.

Alberto Contador also tested positive for clenbuterol, which he said came from ingesting contaminated beef while winning his third Tour de France last year. He was cleared of doping by the Spanish cycling federation, but UCI will decide by Thursday whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.