Pereiro says the UCI has authorised his use of salbutamol

The case against the Spaniard was dismissed after he showed he had official medical clearance to use certain banned substances.

Pereiro twice tested positive for salbutamol during last year's race.

But the agency said he had provided sufficient justification for use of an asthma medication.

The International Cycling Union said he had authorization to use the drug and Pereiro insisted he had forgotten to send the relevant documents to the French Anti-Doping Authority (ALFD).

AFLD president Pierre Bordry revealed that Periero had only provided the necessary clearance last week, after the case was highlighted in French newspaper Le Monde, despite being asked to send them to the authority last year.

"It's a pity it took such a long time to receive the clearance asked for," Bordry said.

Le Monde reported that since August, the AFLD had contacted the Spaniard three times in order to gain the relevant proof.

606: DEBATE Why has this all taken so long to reach a resolution? FB 606: Have your say

Meanwhile, race winner Floyd Landis, who tested positive for high levels of testosterone, is appealing against his positive test result.

He has claimed that mistakes by the French laboratory which analysed his samples led to his positive result.

If he is found guilty of cheating, Landis would be the first rider in the modern era to be stripped of victory.

The American has been called to appear before the French anti-doping agency on 8 February.