FIGHT THE POWER!!!!
Defiant Vino' arrives in Strasbourg
Tour officials allow team to attend presentation
By The Associated Press
This report filed June 28, 2006
Alexandre Vinokourov defied organizers of the Tour de France Wednesday by flying into Strasbourg with his Astaná-Würth team determined to start the race.
Vinokourov just wants to ride
photo: AFP (file photo)
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is slated to rule on Friday on whether the team can participate after Tour organizers demanded they withdraw because of former manager Manolo Saiz's implication in a Spanish blood-doping probe.
"There is no evidence against our team," said Vinokourov, tipped as a potential winner of the 93rd Tour, which starts with a prologue in Strasbourg on Saturday. "The press just comes up with suspicions, but the press can also decide the general classification if it wants!"
The team formerly known as Liberty Seguros was caught up in the Spanish Operation Puerto probe last month when Saiz was arrested after police raided an alleged blood-boosting service for athletes run by cycling doctor, Eufemiano Fuentes.
Also arrested was the sporting director of non-Pro Tour team Comunidad Valenciana, Jose Ignacio Labarta.
Both men resigned their posts but Tour organizers on June 13 withdrew Valenciana's wildcard entry, citing Labarta's implication in the scandal.
However, after Kazakh sponsors Astaná stepped into the gap left by the departure of Liberty Seguros, the UCI allowed them to retain their Pro Tour license, which guarantees Tour participation.
"It's not normal. We drove ourselves to find the sponsors so that we could come," the 32-year-old Vinokourov said.
"I hope the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes the right decision and we can be at the start on Saturday."
CAS arbitrator Guido de Croock was due to hear arguments from both parties at the court's headquarters in Lausanne on Thursday, with a ruling due by midday Friday, the CAS said in a statement.
Vinokourov pointed out that doping allegations were leveled against seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong during his career.
"Armstrong was sometimes cited in the press but that didn't stop him competing in the Tour de France. I don't see why I can't do the Tour," said the ethnic Russian from Kazakhstan who was fifth in last year's race and third in 2003.
With the arbitration ruling due on Friday, Astaná riders will miss their scheduled medical checkups early Thursday, although the tests can be done later.
"Our position is clear. We have asked the team not to come to the Tour. With regards to the medical visit, that extends until Friday afternoon," a Tour spokesperson said.
However, the team will undergo regulation blood tests 48 hours before the start of the race as those examinations are conducted under the auspices of the UCI.
Tour organizers, who initially suggested Astaná riders will not be presented with the other 20 professional teams at a public reception on Thursday evening, backed down late Wednesday.
Tour organisors issued a statement Wednesday evening saying that Astana would be able to be present at the ceremony without giving a reason for the change.
The riders will travel by boat along the Ill River from the European Parliament to a presentation ceremony in front of Rohan castle in the city center.
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/10153.0.html
Defiant Vino' arrives in Strasbourg
Tour officials allow team to attend presentation
By The Associated Press
This report filed June 28, 2006
Alexandre Vinokourov defied organizers of the Tour de France Wednesday by flying into Strasbourg with his Astaná-Würth team determined to start the race.
Vinokourov just wants to ride
photo: AFP (file photo)
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is slated to rule on Friday on whether the team can participate after Tour organizers demanded they withdraw because of former manager Manolo Saiz's implication in a Spanish blood-doping probe.
"There is no evidence against our team," said Vinokourov, tipped as a potential winner of the 93rd Tour, which starts with a prologue in Strasbourg on Saturday. "The press just comes up with suspicions, but the press can also decide the general classification if it wants!"
The team formerly known as Liberty Seguros was caught up in the Spanish Operation Puerto probe last month when Saiz was arrested after police raided an alleged blood-boosting service for athletes run by cycling doctor, Eufemiano Fuentes.
Also arrested was the sporting director of non-Pro Tour team Comunidad Valenciana, Jose Ignacio Labarta.
Both men resigned their posts but Tour organizers on June 13 withdrew Valenciana's wildcard entry, citing Labarta's implication in the scandal.
However, after Kazakh sponsors Astaná stepped into the gap left by the departure of Liberty Seguros, the UCI allowed them to retain their Pro Tour license, which guarantees Tour participation.
"It's not normal. We drove ourselves to find the sponsors so that we could come," the 32-year-old Vinokourov said.
"I hope the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes the right decision and we can be at the start on Saturday."
CAS arbitrator Guido de Croock was due to hear arguments from both parties at the court's headquarters in Lausanne on Thursday, with a ruling due by midday Friday, the CAS said in a statement.
Vinokourov pointed out that doping allegations were leveled against seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong during his career.
"Armstrong was sometimes cited in the press but that didn't stop him competing in the Tour de France. I don't see why I can't do the Tour," said the ethnic Russian from Kazakhstan who was fifth in last year's race and third in 2003.
With the arbitration ruling due on Friday, Astaná riders will miss their scheduled medical checkups early Thursday, although the tests can be done later.
"Our position is clear. We have asked the team not to come to the Tour. With regards to the medical visit, that extends until Friday afternoon," a Tour spokesperson said.
However, the team will undergo regulation blood tests 48 hours before the start of the race as those examinations are conducted under the auspices of the UCI.
Tour organizers, who initially suggested Astaná riders will not be presented with the other 20 professional teams at a public reception on Thursday evening, backed down late Wednesday.
Tour organisors issued a statement Wednesday evening saying that Astana would be able to be present at the ceremony without giving a reason for the change.
The riders will travel by boat along the Ill River from the European Parliament to a presentation ceremony in front of Rohan castle in the city center.
http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/10153.0.html
