AIGLE (Switzerland): For­mer world time trial champion Michael Rogers can race again after cycling’s governing body accepted that meat he ate in China likely caused his positive doping test.

Rogers, an Olympic bronze medallist, helped persuade the International Cycling Union that he was not intending to cheat.

“Upon careful analysis of Rogers’s explanations and the accompanying technical reports the UCI found that there was a significant probability that the presence of clenbuterol may have resulted from the consumption of contaminated meat from China,” the governing body said in a statement.

Rogers raced last October in China, where clenbuterol is widely administered to livestock to build muscle and reduce fat. The 34-year-old Australian tested positive days later at the Japan Cup.

The UCI said it disqualified Rogers from the Japanese race but consulted the World Anti-Doping Agency before deciding “he should not be sanctioned any further”.

“Over the past four months, my family and I have endured a very difficult time,” Rogers said. “The UCI decision means I can return to racing immediately, and I am looking forward to getting back to work, competing in the sport I love.”

Rogers had been provisionally suspended last December from racing for Team Tinkoff-Saxo.

Rogers won three straight world titles from 2003-05.