The International Cycling Union (UCI) has until March 24 to decide whether to appeal against Alberto Contador being cleared of using drugs, president Pat McQuaid said on Saturday while unveiling a host of new anti-doping measures.

Contador tested positive for a small amount of the banned anabolic agent clenbuterol during last year's Tour de France and although the Spanish cycling federation (RFEC) initially banned him for a year, it exonerated him last month.

"We have to give our decision before March 24," McQuaid said, adding that the UCI received the file a few days ago.

The governing body has 30 days to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and could decide to launch a joint case with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

"Our principal lawyer...will start working on the Contador case on Monday. I can't give an opinion on whether he is guilty or not. But the Contador case is difficult for the sport. It's like a cloud over our head," McQuaid said.

Three-times Tour winner Contador denies deliberate wrongdoing, saying the test was the result of contaminated meat.

The Spaniard is not racing in the week-long Paris-Nice, the first big race of the year, which starts on Sunday.

McQuaid was in France to sign an agreement with the French anti-doping agency (AFLD) over joint doping tests during the race, ending a long period of tension between the two bodies.

"We have had some difficult times with the AFLD in the past. I can see nothing but good cooperation in the future," McQuaid added, saying a deal over the Tour would come soon.