Spanish PM defends Contador

Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero has defended Tour de France champion Alberto Contador, who is facing a one-year ban for doping offences.

"Zapatero says 'there is no legal reason to sanction Contador'," his office said in a statement released on Twitter, @desdelamoncloa.

The future of the three-time Tour de France winner has hung in the balance since he announced last August he had tested positive for traces of the banned substance clenbuterol during last July's race.

Despite repeatedly denying taking any banned substances, blaming the result on food contamination, it increasingly looks like stage racing's biggest talent will be banned.

The Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) made a proposal last month to ban Contador for a year.