File - In this June 30, 2011 file photo, Alberto Contador of Spain trains near Les Herbiers, western France. Sport's highest court on Monday Feb. 6, 2012 has banned Contador for two years after finding the Spanish cyclist guilty of doping, a decision that will strip the 2010 Tour de France champion of his title.The Court of Arbitration for Sport has suspended Contador after rejecting his claim that his positive test for clenbuterol was caused by eating contaminated meat.Contador has continued racing since giving a positive control on a 2010 Tour rest day, and is expected to be stripped of all of his results over the past 17 months including winning the Giro d'Italia last season. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
File - In this June 30, 2011 file photo, Alberto Contador of Spain trains near Les Herbiers, western France. Sport's highest court on Monday Feb. 6, 2012 has banned Contador for two years after finding the Spanish cyclist guilty of doping, a decision that will strip the 2010 Tour de France champion of his title.The Court of Arbitration for Sport has suspended Contador after rejecting his claim that his positive test for clenbuterol was caused by eating contaminated meat.Contador has continued racing since giving a positive control on a 2010 Tour rest day, and is expected to be stripped of all of his results over the past 17 months including winning the Giro d'Italia last season. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani, File)
FILE - in this July 25, 2010 file photo, three-time Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain holds aloft the Spanish national flag during a victory lap after winning the Tour de France cycling race in Paris. he court of a Arbitration for Sport delivered the verdict Monday, 17 months after Contador returned a positive drug test in winning the 2010 Tour de France race. Contador has always claimed the positive result was from contaminated beef he eat during the race. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
FILE - In this Sept. 30, 2010 file photo, Spanish Cyclist Alberto Contador of Spain speaks during a news conference in Pinto on the outskirts of Madrid. The Spanish cycling federation said Monday, Feb. 6, 2012 that sport's highest court has banned Alberto Contador for two years after finding him guilty of doping. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
MADRID (AP) ? Alberto Contador is considering appealing his two-year doping ban handed down to him by sport's highest court, maintaining his innocence a day after being stripped of his 2010 Tour de France title.
Contador said Tuesday he has no plans to retire from cycling despite hinting previously that he might quit if banned for testing positive for clenbuterol on his way to winning a third Tour title, which was taken away from him with Monday's ruling.
Contador said he completely disagreed with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which rejected his claim that his positive doping test for the muscle-building steroid was caused by eating contaminated meat.
"Something doesn't work with the system," Contador said at a crowded news conference in his native Pinto, on the outskirts of Madrid. "We will fight as far as we need to demonstrate my innocence."
Contador said his lawyers are examining whether to appeal to Switzerland's supreme court, which is the only body he can still turn to in hopes of being exonerated.
"I've tried everything to understand this ruling, but I cannot. I cannot understand this ban they have handed me," Contador said. "If there is anything else I can do to prove my innocence I'd like to know."
Contador said the ordeal has left him disillusioned with the sport and he would never recommend professional cycling to anyone.
"The only satisfaction I feel is that whatever decision was reached, the ruling never says I doped," Contador said during a 50-minute news conference that was often interrupted by rounds of applause and yells of "Contador" from supportive locals. "There was never an intention on my part."
Contador would not comment on his financial situation, with the International Cycling Union looking to fine him $3.25 million. His Saxo Bank-SunGard team boss Bjarne Riis said Tuesday that Contador would not be paid if he is not racing.
Contador did not comment when asked if there was a vendetta against him, led by the UCI or the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Contador is banned from riding until Aug. 6 and will miss this year's Tour, Giro d'Italia and Olympics in London. He did not say whether he will line up for the Spanish Vuelta, which starts on Aug. 18.
"I'm sure of one thing: I want to come back to ride the best races," Contador said.
Riis said the team's trust in Contador was "100 percent intact" after CAS' ruling said his positive test likely came from a "contaminated food supplement."
Contador's future with the Danish team remains vague.
"August is still a long time (away). If he wishes to continue with the team, our intention is the same," Riis said. "I would have no problem working with Alberto again. I have not seen a bike rider like him in many, many years, probably not since (Eddy) Merckx."
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