Alexander Vinokourov uninvited from Dutch MTB race
Alexandre Vinokourov is finding it hard to return to pro racing. (FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)
Alexander Vinokourov is not welcome in the Beach Challenge race in Scheveningen, Netherlands, after all. After it was announced earlier this week that the suspended Kazakhstani rider would participate in the mountain bike race, race organiser Frank Boelé has cancelled his appearance.
Boelé said that he made no judgement on Vinokourov's suspension for blood doping, "but his presence brings us a lot of sensationalist attention. We won't put up with this," he told telesport.nl, after indicating that Vinokourov had been invited "behind his back".
Rini Wagtmans, Vinokourov's agent in the Netherlands, was not happy that his client must stay at home. "The organisation had previously ordered two tickets for him and now two days in advance he hears that his presence is not welcome."
The 35-year-old Vinokourov was suspended for a year until July this year after his 2007 Tour de France expulsion which also saw his Astana team kicked out.
He had originally retired from cycling after his suspension was announced but then decided to mount a comeback in 2009.
User Comments
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mylesrants
Posted Fri 5 Dec, 10:29 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
just a mess this cheat is getting a chance to race.
the damage he has done to cycling and now slippin his way back.
out out and stay out.
bikepure.org
LIFEBAN
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Supergoose
Posted Fri 5 Dec, 11:26 pm UTC Flag as inappropriate
What about David Millar? His sycophantic attitude makes me want to puke, if he is allowed back (along with many others) then Vino should be allowed back too. Hes done the time.
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ademort
Posted Sat 6 Dec, 11:45 am UTC Flag as inappropriate
It,s a shame you did not get the full story on Vinkourov. It was known last week that he was to take part, and not this week as stated. Also the reason that he may not take part is that the organisers felt that all of the press coverage e.t.c., would be directed towards Vinkourov and not to the race itself. This was well known here in the Netherlands. Poeple wanted to ride the event, purely because he was taking part and thats probably the reason why the organisers decided to ban him from the event. ademort
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