Astana promises to investigate 'disappointing' doping within team
Astana says it wants to reaffirm its 'absolute zero-tolerance policy towards all incidents of doping and unethical activity' in wake of Iglinskiy brothers' EPO positives
Kazakh team Astana promised in a statement yesterday to help investigate brothers Valentin and Maxim Iglinskiy, adding it is 'deeply disappointed' with the EPO doping cases.
"Astana very much regrets [the doping cases] and understands that this unfortunate event has led to concerns over the efficiency of internal measures taken to ensure that riders do not use prohibited substance or methods," said the team in a statement issues on Friday.
"Astana is deeply disappointed that these events have occurred, and reaffirms its absolute zero-tolerance policy towards all incidents of doping and unethical activity."
After the two cases, within a month of one another, Astana withdrew itself from competition as part of its Movement for a Credible Cycling (MPCC) membership. Member teams, which includes 11 of 18 first division teams, agree to stop racing for eight days from the next WorldTour event if they have two or more doping cases in a 12-month span. Astana is sitting out the Tour of Beijing and two Italian one-day races.
In addition to the Iglinskiys, the team in turquoise has had a colourful past. It began from the ashes from Liberty Seguros and Operación Puerto, saw star rider and current manager Alexandre Vinokourov test positive at the 2007 Tour de France and came under fire in other incidents.
Cycling's governing body, the UCI called it "an extremely serious situation" that reflects poorly on the team and its management.
"The UCI views the positive tests for EPO by two riders of the same team as an extremely serious situation and one which raises questions about the management of the team and the ethics which are upheld within it," the UCI said in a statement this week.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"We will see if there are changes we believe need to be made internally at the team or indeed whether we should attach conditions to their licence going forward which are consistent with the WADA Code."
Astana won the Tour de France with Italian Vincenzo Nibali in July with the help of Maxim Iglinskiy. The 33-year-old, winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Strade Bianche, tested positive on August 1, the day before the Clásica San Sebastián.
In its Friday statement, the team explained that it wants to overcome the Iglinskiy incidents. It launched its own internal investigation and asked the Iglinskiys to speak with the Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC).
"[Astana] wishes to reassure the UCI and the general public that preliminary findings demonstrate that the events are of an isolated nature," it said, "and that no other member of team knew or took part."
A brief history of Astana scandals
A quick guide to an uneasy ride in the pro peloton
Astana 'in a serious situation' after doping positives, says UCI
Positive EPO tests for Maxim and Valentin Iglinskiy of Astana 'raises questions' about the team's management
Astana withdraws from Tour of Beijing after Maxim Iglinskiy positive
Under Movement for Credible Cycling rules, Astana have withdrawn from competition after positive tests for Valentin and Maxim Iglinskiy
Valentin Iglinskiy sacked by Astana after failing EPO test
Kazakh rider Valentin Iglinskiy failed test for EPO at Eneco Tour and admits to using the banned blood booster
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Mathieu van der Poel to race 11 cyclocross races this season, from the Zonohoven World Cup to the World Championships
Dutchman to defend his world title in northern France at beginning of February
By Adam Becket Published
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Miguel Ángel López takes Astana to court over ‘unlawful’ breach of contract
The Colombian was dismissed by Astana Qazaqstan in December, and is now seeking damages
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish signs for Astana-Qazaqstan and will remain on the WorldTour for 2023
The transfer saga is over, Mark Cavendish has officially found a team, and will chase the Tour de France stage win record
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Is Mark Cavendish heading to Astana?
The Manx Missile has been heavily linked to Astana since the departure of their GC rider Miguel Ángel López
By Adam Hart Published
-
Astana Qazaqstan drops Miguel Ángel López over 'probable' doping case links
The 28-year-old had extended his contract last month
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Public prosecutor's office opens judicial investigation into Astana Qazaqstan's license holder
Abacanto SA has held the WorldTour team's license since 2010, but is being charged with violations of the Luxembourg criminal code
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali will not ride Paris-Roubaix in order to focus on the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France
Italian says it would have been "really cool" to ride all five monuments but it wasn't "possible"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Astana release new rap video starring Vincenzo Nibali and Alexander Vinokourov
Kazakh team have history of strange social media posts, but this one is quite something
By Adam Becket Published
-
Which WorldTour team has the best kit for 2022? We take a look through the wardrobe
Now almost all the kits are out, here are our measured ratings of racing kit ahead of the 2022 season
By Adam Becket Published