KESSLER SACKED BY ASTANA
German rider Matthias Kessler has been sacked by the Astana ProTour squad after his 'B'B sample tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone.
Kessler, 28, has previously been suspended from the team pending further investigation after he failed an out-of-competition testosterone test on April 24.
Before joining Astana, Kessler rode for the T-Mobile squad.
This is further bad news for Astana after the squad's Tour de France hopefuls Alexandre Vinokourov and Andreas Kloden both crashed in yesterday's stage, sustaining serious injuries. Both riders, however, started today's stage.
Astana have released the following press release today:
THE B-SAMPLE OF MATTHIAS KESSLER HAS ALSO BEEN TESTED POSITIVE
Astana Cycling Team received this morning the confirmation that the B-sample of Matthias Kessler also presented an unnormal degree of testosterone. This second proof confirms the first result. The rider is then fired from the Astana Cycling Team with immediate effect.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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
Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
-
Chinese X-Lab vies for global domination as it equips XDS Astana with bikes for the WorldTour
A new partnership sees Astana aboard new bikes with increased funding for 2025
By Joe Baker Published
-
Tech of the week: Van Rysel releases an aero bike (quelle surprise!) plus a superlight carbon crankset from FSA, a long top tube bag from Tailfin and tyre liners from Zefal
The RCR-F aero bike will be ridden by the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team in 2025, but will it create headlines like the RCR?
By Luke Friend Published