Vincenzo Nibali in "rage" after Astana doping revelations
Tour de France 2014 winner says that his first reaction to finding out about his Astana teammates' positive tests was "rage"
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali reacted to the recent doping cases in his Astana team by saying they are "ugly" but "isolated."
In the last two months, three Kazakh cyclists, brothers Maxim and Valentin Iglinskiy, and Ilya Davidenok tested positive for banned drugs.
"The first reaction when learning of this is rage," the Italian said at 2015 Tour presentation yesterday, according to France's Le Monde (opens in new tab) newspaper.
"You say; 'But damn, how is it possible that something like this is still happening today?' You really have to be stupid" said Nibali.
"This is an isolated case. We're speaking of two brothers, it happens in families, outside of the team. It's ugly because the entire team must pay the consequences, even if it has nothing to do with this story."
Davidenok failed an anti-doping test for steroids, but raced for Astana's continental, third division team. The Iglinskiys both failed tests for EPO while racing for the Kazakhstany WorldTour team.
Maxim Iglinskiy played a key role to help Nibali win the Tour this July and previously won the 2012 Liège-Bastogne-Liège classic by catching and passing Nibali, who was then with team Liquigas, in the final 1.3 kilometres.
Cycling's governing body, the UCI last week called the doping scandal "an extremely serious situation" that reflects poorly on the team and its management. It asked the licence commission to review Astana's WorldTour status. The team will have to explain itself in the coming month based on the commission's ethical criterion.
The commission withheld Katusha's licences for similar problems in 2012, though the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later ruled it could not do so and allowed the team to race in the top tier for 2013.
Tour de France organiser ASO took things in to their own hands in 2008 by barring Astana from participating in its race because of doping problems in the previous year.
"There will probably be sanctions, but I think it is the concerned riders that should pay, not us, because they are the ones who did it, not us," Nibali continued.
"It would need to be a big ban. Apparently two-year suspensions are no longer sufficient."
Nibali explained that followers should not consider his Tour de France victory ride suspicious.
"I answered every [doping] question, I never avoided the subject. I have always been transparent and available on these questions, even when I was at team Liquigas," Nibali added.
"Things have changed thanks to the anti-doping agencies, it's a good thing that they do more and more controls."
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
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
Astana's WorldTour licence in jeopardy after another failed drug test
Thank you for reading 10 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.
-
-
Fan-first, gamified bike racing: the NCL readies for its debut as domestic teams get on board
Ever since the National Cycling League (NCL) announced its formation last fall, the big question has been: who will race in this all-new approach to American bike racing?
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis • 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
-
"Failing that drug test was the best thing that had ever happened to me"
Abuse victim and disgraced cycling champion Geneviève Jeanson finds solace in return to bike racing
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
29 cases of alleged doping recorded in cycling in 2022, but only one at WorldTour
Most came from semi-professional ranks, MPCC finds
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
-
Spanish police crack down on doping ring, former Kelme coach questioned
Miguel Ángel López denies any involvement in statement
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
UCI suspends continental team's licence due to doping investigation
W52-FC Porto cannot compete in any races after an investigation conducted by the Anti-Doping Authority of Portugal
By Ryan Dabbs • Last updated