source: http://www.velonews.com/race/int/articles/13767.0.html
The UCI has expressed its surprise and astonishment at the Kazakh cycling federation's decision to ban Alexander Vinokourov for only one year for blood doping.
Thursday's ruling paves the way for the disgraced Kazakh cyclist to compete at the Beijing Olympics, as his suspension runs up to July 2008, the month before the games start.
In explaining how the Kazakh federation arrived at its decision, vice president Nikolay Proskurin said: "Documents and evidence presented by Vinokourov and his lawyers were not convincing. We decided to disqualify him for a year."
Proskurin added: "I think that should he want to, Vinokourov will be able to take part in the Olympic Games in Beijing."
UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani told AFP that cycling's governing body considered the ban too lenient.
"We are very astonished and surprised. We're asking ourselves how the Kazakh federation could come to such a punishment," he said.
UCI president Pat McQuaid was also surprised by the light sentence, telling The Associated Press, "Normally for such a violation the ... ban is two years."
Both said the UCI was studying the ruling and considering a challenge before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Vinokourov was excluded from this year's Tour de France following his positive test for blood doping. He was sacked by his Kazakh-based, Swiss-registered team Astana following the positive test, which consequently led to the prompt withdrawal of the whole team from the Tour.
Vinokourov's lawyer, Maurice Suh, said his client "continues to assert his innocence of any violation of the anti-doping rules of the UCI."
"Mr. Vinokourov looks forward to the end of his suspension and to the opportunity to begin returning to racing once his suspension is completed," Suh added.