Tour hit by fresh doping scandal
The legitimacy of the world's most famous cycling race is under close scrutiny once again
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Tuesday, 24, Jul 2007 10:38
The future of the Tour de France was plunged into doubt again today after one of cycling's top names tested positive for blood doping.
Kazakh rider Alexandre Vinokourov, who was the pre-race favourite but had fallen out of contention after a bad crash on stage five, tested positive for two types of blood in his system.
Doping officials are still awaiting the results of his B-sample test, although if this is found to confirm the results Vinokourov faces a minimum two-year ban.
He is also in danger of being stripped of his time trial victory on Saturday and his convincing win in Monday's stage 15 in the Pyrenean foothills.
His team Astana have withdrawn from this year's Tour following the allegations against their team leader, who has also been suspended.
A statement released by the team read: "The anti-doping control on Alexandre Vinokourov, which was carried out on July 21st after the time trial in Albi, has tested positive.
"According to the ethical code of the Astana cycling team Alexandre Vinokourov has been suspended from the team with immediate effect. The rider has asked nevertheless for a B-sample analysis.
"Informed by the Astana management, the organisers of the Tour de France invited the team to withdraw, which was immediately accepted."
The latest doubts over the legitimacy of the riders in Le Tour follows the headline-grabbing scandal over the positive drugs tests of Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 title.