Alexandre Vinokourov Caught Cheating in Tour de France
Another black mark hit professional cycling. How long will it be until it’s the European equivalent of pro wrestling?
When Alexandre Vinokourov crushed his opponents Saturday and yesterday in the Tour de France I cheered. Earlier in the tour Vinokourov crashed a few times causing cuts that required dozens of stiches. Yet the tour favorite didn’t quit. He kept on racing. Even after he fell way back in the standings, Vinokourov didn’t give up. He went into Saturday’s time trial with the determination to win, and he did. We now find out he cheated while doing it:
Vinokourov failed a test taken on Saturday after his victory in Stage 13, the 54km individual time trial in Albi. It is understood the 33-year-old Kazakh, who also won yesterday’s 196km Pyrenean stage to Loudenvielle-le-Louron, tested positive for blood doping.
A statement released by Astana team read: “The anti-doping control on Alexandre Vinokourov, which was carried out on July 21 after the time trial in Albi, has tested positive.
“There is the presence of a double population of haematids (blood corpuscles), which implies there has been a blood transfusion with homological (the same type of) blood.”
The positive test forced his Astana team to drop out of the tour denying fifth-place Andreas Kloden a shot a making the podium.
After Floyd Landis’ positive test last year you’d think these amazing athletes would learn. British cyclist David Millar said it plainly, “I have the impression the riders will never understand.”
Now, I have to decide if I want to watch anymore of the tour. I didn’t need to see an American winning to be interested. Cycling is full of strategy, heart, determination, guts, and unfortunately cheating. The fields and mountains of France make for amazing television pictures. Too bad the cyclists are tarring the beauty of a great sport.
“Alexandre Vinokourov Tests Positive”
Vino may be guilty. But unlike the Dick Pound, let’s at least let the “B” sample get tested before passing judgement. This is the same lab that clearly bungled one of Landis’ samples – I’m suspicious of just about anything they do today.
A couple other quick notes – first, the testing lab that does the work today simply has to change their communication protocol or be removed. Second, I’m really wondering what Astana is doing here, though perhaps if a Kazakh can’t win, then they’re not interested. Kloden with a good ride today could well have won the race.