Contador expects scars to remain

Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador is looking forward to being able to race again after being cleared of doping - but believes he will be "scarred for life" by the whole affair.

Contador was cleared on Tuesday by the Royal Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) after testing positive for the banned substance Clenbuterol at last year's Tour de France.

The RFEC's disciplinary committee last month proposed a one-year ban but the Spaniard, who has always maintained his innocence, claiming the substance was in some contaminated meat, appealed against that and has now been given the green light to return to action.

Contador is now able to defend his title at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal and the 28-year-old is looking forward to resuming his career - although he feels the experience of the last few months will stay with him forever.

He said: "I've been through some months that I wouldn't wish on anybody. You'd have to go through it yourself to really know how it feels, but in the end justice and professionalism has prevailed.

"What's hurt me most has been the serious attack on my honour. Terrible things have been said about me and have done me irreparable damage. I now have another scar, which is inside and which will accompany me throughout my life."

He added: "It's been six months of sleepless nights, of pulling my hair out, I've cried with my closest friends, in the face of such a great injustice."