Astana to Take Part in Spanish Vuelta

Astana were named as one of 20 teams competing in the Spanish Vuelta, after being barred from the Tour de France
The Astana team, who were barred from the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia because of doping violations, were among 20 teams named yesterday to take part in the Spanish Vuelta. "All the teams meet the maximum requirements in terms of ethics, image and administration," organizers said.

Last year the Astana rider Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for blood-doping during the Tour and his team-mate Andrej Kashechkin did likewise a month later in Turkey after an out-of-competition test. In 2006 several members of the Astana team, then known as Liberty Seguros, were kicked out on the eve of the Tour after being linked to the Operation Puerto blood-doping scandal in Spain. The Tour has banned the team from this year's race, so Alberto Contador will not be able to defend his title.

© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 4/30/2008
 
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