“I’ve decided to end my professional career in cycling,”
After receiving a one year ban for blood doping, Vinokourov made the, as expected, decision to retire. Although the one year ban he recieved from the Kazakh authorities may seem rather paltry. The main damage has been to his reputation. Given the doping difficulties that procycling are going through at the moment, no Pro Tour teams could really afford to be associated with a rider such as Vinokourov.
Vinokourov tested postive for blood doping in this year’s time trial stage of the Tour de France. Vinokourov won the stage after struggling through the earlier parts of the race. However, Vinokourov was defiant saying that:
“I don’t want this sport any more. I’m slamming the door and I’m leaving. I will prove I’m not guilty,”
“I want to restore my honour and get the results of this test rescinded.”
Vinokourov has had a colourful cycling career, often gaining the respect of fans for his attacking style of cycling.
Highlights of Vinokourov’s Career.
2000 2nd (Silver Medal), Summer Olympics: Men’s Road Race
2003 1st, Amstel Gold Race
2003 1st, Overall and Stage 5, Paris-Nice
2003 1st, Overall and Stage 1, Tour de Suisse
2003 Tour de France - Third overall.
2004 1st – Liège-Bastogne-Liège
2004 1st, Stage 4, Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré
2005 Tour de France - 5th overall
2006 Winner Vuelta a Espagne
2006 3rd (Bronze Medal), World Cycling Championships Time Trial
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