Professional Cycling - This is politics: Vino

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19932813/

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - One of Kazakhstan’s top cycling officials said disgraced cycling star Alexandre Vinokourov may have been targeted by Tour de France organizers who didn’t want the Kazakh rider to win the race.

Vinokourov, who rides in the colors of his Central Asian country and with the support of its government, was thrown out of the Tour along with his Astana team Tuesday after he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

“This is politics,” said Nikolai Proskurin, the deputy head of Kazakhstan’s Cycling Federation.“Even before the start (of the Tour) the organizers said that if Vinokourov is among the favorites it would be wrong and no good,” Proskurin told Channel 31 television Wednesday.

Vinokourov told French sports daily L’Equipe he was innocent of doping, and that he was the victim of a “provocation.”


Hay,,,DocRay...is this on your list?

Even though I am glad to see guys getting popped when cheating, the current drug testing system also needs to be altered IMO. I trust the labs as much as I trust the cyclists. :o

Whew, for a while I thought the French were only out to get American riders.

Even though I am glad to see guys getting popped when cheating, the current drug testing system also needs to be altered IMO. I trust the labs as much as I trust the cyclists. :o+1

I didn't even read the entire OP's post. That official guy thought he'd win after being down nearly 30 minutes.... WTF kinda drugs is he on? ( I don't want any of those! )

Im tired of every caught doper having an excuse. Boring. Be a real man and own up to it. He was under suspicion well before this tour started which is where the quote probably comes from. I never liked him as a rider because he never seemed to show the loyalty that is part of a team sport, he would stab a team member in the back for a moment of glory, and it looks like that is going to extend to his post cycling career.

who knew the french hated Kazaks too?


how many people have to DQ before we get to Moreau?

Vino was a huge hero and media favorite that spoke fluent French. ... and he wasn't going to win anyway.

Im tired of every caught doper having an excuse. Boring. Be a real man and own up to it. Like this?

Moreni admitted his wrong doing and waived his right to a ‘B’ sample analysis which was rapidly followed by the withdrawal of his heavily anti-doping French Cofidis squad. (http://www.versus.com/tdf)

I dont know if you mean that sarcastically, but yes it is at least slightly refreshing to actually show some remorse or shame when you are shamefully caught cheating. IMO the BS stories are as bad or worse than doping because they allow the doping climate to continue.

WTF kinda drugs is he on? ( I don't want any of those! )

If you wanna disconnect with reality, they seem like a good choice to me.

I dont know if you mean that sarcastically, but yes it is at least slightly refreshing to actually show some remorse or shame when you are shamefully caught cheating. IMO the BS stories are as bad or worse than doping because they allow the doping climate to continue.Nope, no sarcasm intended. Moreni was caught, led off in handcuffs, and owned up to it.

Kazak says Vino's framed (before the B sample is even tested) and we dismiss it as total BS.

Landis et al say they're framed, and a number of us say, yeah you know those tests are suspect etc.

Perhaps we could try to be a little bit consistent?

Like this?

Moreni admitted his wrong doing and waived his right to a ‘B’ sample analysis which was rapidly followed by the withdrawal of his heavily anti-doping French Cofidis squad. (http://www.versus.com/tdf)

That kind of ended up in the shadows today, didn't it. A bit of a shame really.

... Brad

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19932813/

ASTANA, Kazakhstan - One of Kazakhstan’s top cycling officials said disgraced cycling star Alexandre Vinokourov may have been targeted by Tour de France organizers who didn’t want the Kazakh rider to win the race.

Vinokourov, who rides in the colors of his Central Asian country and with the support of its government, was thrown out of the Tour along with his Astana team Tuesday after he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.

“This is politics,” said Nikolai Proskurin, the deputy head of Kazakhstan’s Cycling Federation.“Even before the start (of the Tour) the organizers said that if Vinokourov is among the favorites it would be wrong and no good,” Proskurin told Channel 31 television Wednesday.

Vinokourov told French sports daily L’Equipe he was innocent of doping, and that he was the victim of a “provocation.”


Hay,,,DocRay...is this on your list?

He had no chance to win this year, he had lost too much time.:rolleyes: