Astaná-Würth jersey

STRASBOURG, Jun 30 (CP) - The Spanish-Kazakh Astaná-Würth formation will not be participating in the Tour de France, which is to start on Saturday. Astaná withdrew five riders, that appeared on the doping scandal list, which, according to the team, should not affect the remaining four: Vinokourov, Leon Sánchez, Barredo and Kashechkin. However, UCI regulations state that a team has to field at least six riders to be able to participate, which means that Astaná will not be given permission to start in Strasbourg. Team leader Alexandre Vinokourov was generally considered to be one of the favorites to win this Tour de France, but will now not be able to compete. The five that are suspected of using doping are Beloki, Contador, Davis, Paulinho and Nozal.

© Jonathan Roorda