That is the date the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says it plans to publish its verdict in a case that has dragged on for 18 months.

The CAS announced the date in a statement but added it could still be delayed saying: "A confirmation as to the date and time of the publication of the decision will be given by the CAS at the end of this week."

Contador is facing a two-year ban for testing positive for clenbuterol en route to winning the 2010 Tour de France.

The three-time champion has always insisted he failed a dope test because he ate contaminated meat, brought in from Spain, on the Tour's second rest day.

The CAS became involved after the International Cycling Union (UCI) and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) challenged a Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) decision to clear Contador.

A recent surge in clenbuterol positives, including among footballers at last year's Gold Cup and Under-17 World Cup, has bolstered Contador's stance that eating contaminated meat can trigger a positive.

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