Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana)

ASTANA, Jul 30 (CP) - ProTour team Astana have sacked their former leader Alexandre Vinokourov. The rider tested positive during the Tour de France, and the B-sample confirmed this result.

Vinokourov used blood doping ahead of the first long time trial, and again on the following Monday. The Kazakh won both stages.

In a press release, the team stated that the second test had indeed been 'non-negative' as well.

This doesn't come as a surprise though, as the test performed on Monday, July 23rd, already confirmed the results of the test two days earlier.

© Jonathan Roorda