Tour de France winner Alberto Contador, whose Astana team has been barred from entering this year's race, has ruled out changing teams to defend his title.

Tour organisers Amaury Sport Organisation said Astana would not take part in this year's race because of its implication in previous doping scandals.

"It must be clear: I will not ride the Tour the France in another team other than this one," Spaniard Contador, who won the five-day Tour of Castilla and Leon in Spain on Friday, has said.

Astana, who have overhauled their structure, said they were a new team committed to the fight against doping and have called the decision unfair.

"I hope there comes an end now to all speculations and rumours that I will go to another team in order to participate in the Tour the France," Contador added.

"This week we proved again that Astana Cycling Team is not only a strong team, but a group of friends as well."

Astana manager Johan Bruyneel confirmed in a statement Contador would not change teams.

"I can confirm Alberto's words: he will not ride the Tour for another team. End of speculation."

Reuters