The Court of Arbitration for Sport postponed its hearing in Alberto Contador's doping case on Thursday, meaning the cyclist could compete in the Tour de France before the court issues a ruling.

The CAS postponed the June 6-8 hearing, and the case could drag on beyond the start of this year's Tour.

CAS said it agreed to put off the hearing to give "all parties concerned reasonable time to prepare for such hearing and to guarantee the participation in person of witnesses and experts."

CAS said new hearing dates will be set as soon as possible.

"We are not ready yet with replacement dates," the court said in a statement.

CAS did not specify who sought the postponement.

The court is scheduled to hear appeals filed by the International Cycling Union and World Anti-Doping Agency. They are challenging the Spanish cycling federation's decision to clear the three-time Tour de France champion after he blamed his positive test for clenbuterol at last year's race on eating contaminated beef.

CAS had previously said it aimed to issue a verdict by the end of June, which would allow Contador to defend his Tour title if exonerated. The Tour runs from July 2-24.