Contador cleared by federation

Three-time Tour de France winner relieved about local body's decision

MADRID - Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador said he was "relieved and happy" after Spain's cycling federation reversed an earlier decision and cleared him of knowingly using a banned substance.

However, the International Cycling Union, the sport's world governing body, and the World Anti-Doping Agency have a month to appeal the ruling to the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport, which would have the final word.