http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/39953577/ns/sports/
"We're testing. We're testing in great detail, in great numbers, and we're catching athletes. We're not afraid to catch an athlete, big or small. It's transparent. It's open. All the results come to us and go to WADA. We're doing our damnedest to catch cheats."
McQuaid defended the UCI's handling of the Contador case, which dates to a drug test during the Tour on July 21. The Spaniard claims traces of the banned drug clenbuterol in his sample came from contaminated steak, and also has denied that tests found traces of plastic residues that could indicate he underwent an illegal blood transfusion.
The UCI still has not decided whether to press doping charges against Contador.
"We're working with WADA," McQuaid said. "Our scientific people and their scientific people are working together to try to determine how the clenbuterol got in the system.
"We're waiting for WADA to come back to us with a report. As soon as we get that, we'll take decisions within hours."
McQuaid said he had no timeframe for a decision but added, "I think the point might be fast approaching."
Asked whether the investigation also was looking into plastic residues found in Contador's samples, he said, "I couldn't tell you."
If the UCI decides to pursue disciplinary action against Contador, the case first will be referred to the Spanish cycling federation for a hearing. If found guilty, Contador would be stripped of the Tour title and face a ban.
Contador has suggested he might quit the sport regardless of the outcome of the investigation.
"I understand the athlete has been barraged by media, particularly the Spanish media," McQuaid said. "He's in a pretty difficult situation. I can understand that and I have sympathy for him in that situation."
"We're testing. We're testing in great detail, in great numbers, and we're catching athletes. We're not afraid to catch an athlete, big or small. It's transparent. It's open. All the results come to us and go to WADA. We're doing our damnedest to catch cheats."
McQuaid defended the UCI's handling of the Contador case, which dates to a drug test during the Tour on July 21. The Spaniard claims traces of the banned drug clenbuterol in his sample came from contaminated steak, and also has denied that tests found traces of plastic residues that could indicate he underwent an illegal blood transfusion.
The UCI still has not decided whether to press doping charges against Contador.
"We're working with WADA," McQuaid said. "Our scientific people and their scientific people are working together to try to determine how the clenbuterol got in the system.
"We're waiting for WADA to come back to us with a report. As soon as we get that, we'll take decisions within hours."
McQuaid said he had no timeframe for a decision but added, "I think the point might be fast approaching."
Asked whether the investigation also was looking into plastic residues found in Contador's samples, he said, "I couldn't tell you."
If the UCI decides to pursue disciplinary action against Contador, the case first will be referred to the Spanish cycling federation for a hearing. If found guilty, Contador would be stripped of the Tour title and face a ban.
Contador has suggested he might quit the sport regardless of the outcome of the investigation.
"I understand the athlete has been barraged by media, particularly the Spanish media," McQuaid said. "He's in a pretty difficult situation. I can understand that and I have sympathy for him in that situation."