VINOKOUROV TESTS POSITIVE

Alexandre Vinokourov Tour de France st15

Astana team leader Alexandre Vinokourov has tested positive for blood doping. The news was first anounced on the Equipe newspaper's website and sent shockwaves through the Tour de France on the afternoon of the second rest day in Pau.

According to reports the Kazakh tested positive for an homologous blood transfusion after Saturday's time trial in Albi.L'Equipe said the analysis was conducted by the Chatenay-Malabry lab on the outskirts of Paris. It said two distinctive types of red blood cells were found in the A sample and showed that Vinokourov received a blood transfusion from a compatible donor shortly before the time trial.

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

Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.