Rogers to race after cleared of doping

Australian cyclist Michael Rogers is free to return to the track after the ICU cleared the former world champion of doping.

Australian cyclist Michael Rogers is free to return to racing after the ICU cleared him of doping. (AAP)

Australian Michael Rogers can race again after cycling's governing body accepted that the meat the former world time trial champion ate in China likely caused his positive doping test.

The International Cycling Union agreed "there was a significant probability" clenbuterol in his sample came from contaminated meat.

Rogers raced in China, where clenbuterol is administered to livestock, days before testing positive at the Japan Cup last October.

The UCI says it disqualified Rogers from the Japanese race but consulted the World Anti-Doping Agency before deciding "he should not be sanctioned any further."

The 34-year-old Australian was provisionally suspended from Team Saxo-Tinkoff last December.

Rogers won three straight world titles from 2003-05. In 2012, he was upgraded to bronze in the 2004 Athens Olympics time trial after winner Tyler Hamilton was disqualified for doping.