PAU, France (AP) -- Tour de France rider Alexandre Vinokourov, one of the strongest riders, tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning last weekend's time trial, prompting his Astana team to pull out of the race.The positive test of the Kazakh rider, a one-time favorite to win cycling's premier event, dealt a heavy blow to a sport already reeling from a spate of doping scandals.
"Vino has tested positive having to do with a blood transfusion and the team is leaving the Tour," team spokeswoman Corinne Druey said, using the rider's nickname.
1 comment:
It's just too damn sad to watch. A phenomenal sport blown apart by doping.
But this is what happens when the very few top riders make millions, and their teammates are left to scratch in the dirt. I have to believe some of this might go away if the cash in the sport was a little more spread out.
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