Spain's Alberto Contador feels trusted by his Saxo Bank team-mates despite a doping suspension hanging over his head.
"I have never felt any doubts or questions about my explanation," he told Denmark's BT newspaper. "Rather, it has been the opposite. They show confidence and understanding."
Contador blamed his doping positive for Clenbuterol on eating a contaminated steak. He tested positive on the Tour de France's second rest day, July 21, in Pau. After he won the race – 39 seconds ahead of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck – the International Cycling Union (UCI) revealed the results.
The Spanish Federation is reviewing the case and should deliver a decision by February. Contador, meanwhile, prepares for the season. He met new Saxo Bank team at a training camp on the Spanish island of Fuerteventura last week
"It is without doubt a special and difficult situation for me," Contador continued. "It's not fun to start in a whole new team this way, but I am sure that the case will end in my favour, and that I can become a part of this team and live up to the confidence they have shown me."
Contador's urine showed 50 picograms per millilitre of Clenbuterol, equal to 0.000 000 000 05 grams per ml. Contador maintains his innocence and claims that the beef that his Astana team bought in Irún, Spain, caused the positive result.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), however, lists Clenbuterol as a banned substance regardless of how it was ingested. The drug helps breathing and weight loss.
"They have measured a very small fluctuation in my values and have chosen to focus too much on it," said Contador. "I don't think it was fair to be vilified in this way. I've been sad, and it has resulted in some hair loss because it occupied so much of my thoughts."
"It's something I have not tried before. There has been a lot of pressure on me and it's certainly the worst I've had to deal with in my time as a cyclist."
Contador's doping case is the latest cycling, which, since the Festina Affair of 1998, has been fighting doping. He said that he is able understand some fans may be losing faith.
"Certainly, I understand well. It is sad that in this great sport with so much soul that there have been so much dirt. But, it is a question of how you look at it," he said. "I maintain my innocence and I will always do so. For me it's about taking it easy and keeping faith that the truth will come out, and that I will be cleared, and that my version is the final one, and then I can start again."
He risks losing his third Tour de France title and faces a possible two-year ban. He said in October that he may quit cycling if the courts rule against him. For now, he wants to "wait and see" before thinking of retirement.
"That is a very difficult question. I am in a very complicated situation right now, so I simply have to wait and see. But I have not done anything wrong and there is no doubt, I won't accept a suspension. It's hard to say what I will do, but I expect a favourable outcome and no suspension," Contador added.
"All I want is to get a clear and favourable outcome, of course, so it will end immediately. And then I will be able to look forward and to new challenges."
Contador's case is likely to drag on. Both the WADA and the UCI said that they will appeal if the RFEC acquits Contador of doping.