Madrid, Feb. 6: Sad day for sporting world, as the three time Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will be stripped of his 2010 title for doping abuse. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) found the 29-year old Spanish cyclist guilty of using banned substance and accordingly banned him for two years.

He was found guilty of using clenbuterol during the 2010 Tour. As the ban date would be counted from 2010, Contador could start participating in the game after August 6, 2012. He will miss the 2012 Tour de France.

The highest court refused to accept his argument that the failed test resulted from eating contaminated meat.

Now, the first runner-up of 2010 event Andy Schleck of Luxembourg will be official champion.

As per the rules of the world governing body, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), he will also forfeit his Giro d'Italia title as well, won in 2010.

Addressing the media, UCI president Pat McQuaid said, "This is a sad day for our sport. Some may think of it as a victory, but that is not at all the case. There are no winners when it comes to the issue of doping: every case, irrespective of its characteristics, is always a case too many."

After getting clearance from the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) in February 2011, Contador's verdict was challenged by the UCI and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) resulting into today's verdict.

According to WADA rules, the at-burning and muscle-building supplement clenbuterol is a zero-tolerance drug.

Contador won the distinction to be only second cyclist after  American Floyd Landis to lose his title for doping.

For a sportsman of Cantador's caliber, who won all the three Grand Tours - the Tour de France, the Giro and the Spanish Vuelta, it is huge blow and very painful message for Spanish fans.