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MILAN (Reuters) - Three-time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was among 207 riders from 23 teams named on Thursday on the official list of competitors for May's Giro d'Italia.
The Spaniard is waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to rule on an appeal by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over the Spanish federation clearing him of doping.
Saxo Bank's Contador, Giro winner in 2008, has not competed in the world's second biggest stage race since as he has concentrated on July's Tour each year.
However, following the fallout from his positive test last year for clenbuterol, which Contador has blamed on contaminated meat, the 28-year-old is heading to Italy with his Tour place possibly in doubt.
CAS has said it is confident it can rule on his case before July's event.
Last year's Giro winner Ivan Basso is among the big names skipping this year's race to focus on the Tour.
Katusha's Danilo Di Luca, 2007 Giro winner and second in 2009, returns after being banned last year for taking CERA, a new generation of the blood-booster EPO.
The Giro, which includes several elements celebrating 150 years of Italian unity, starts in Turin on May 7 and finishes in Milan on May 29 with the most gruelling stage set to be a climb up Mount Etna on day nine.
(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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The Spaniard is waiting for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to rule on an appeal by the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) over the Spanish federation clearing him of doping.
Saxo Bank's Contador, Giro winner in 2008, has not competed in the world's second biggest stage race since as he has concentrated on July's Tour each year.
However, following the fallout from his positive test last year for clenbuterol, which Contador has blamed on contaminated meat, the 28-year-old is heading to Italy with his Tour place possibly in doubt.
CAS has said it is confident it can rule on his case before July's event.
Last year's Giro winner Ivan Basso is among the big names skipping this year's race to focus on the Tour.
Katusha's Danilo Di Luca, 2007 Giro winner and second in 2009, returns after being banned last year for taking CERA, a new generation of the blood-booster EPO.
The Giro, which includes several elements celebrating 150 years of Italian unity, starts in Turin on May 7 and finishes in Milan on May 29 with the most gruelling stage set to be a climb up Mount Etna on day nine.
(Writing by Mark Meadows; Editing by Ken Ferris; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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