Alberto Contador, taking his place at the start line of the Volta ao Algarve last week after the Spanish cycling federation had overturned a proposed one-year ban for doping, described his mere presence at the race as “a real victory.” The Spanish cyclist’s last competitive victory had come at the 2010 Tour de France, where riding with the Astana team Contador won the race for a third time. In August, a month after the Tour ended, it was announced that Contador had tested positive for a banned steroid, clenbuterol, during the race. He was placed under provisional suspension by the International Cycling Union, leading to a six-month period of claim, counter-claim and profound … [Read more...] about Contador in the clear, but under a cloud