An active day of rest

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Astana's team bus was one of four searched during Monday's Stage 15(Image credit: AFP)

Rest - the dictionary defines it as a "period or interval of inactivity, repose, solitude, or tranquility". It seems, however, that in cycling the definition is inversed - as the Tour de France's second of two rest days could be described as chaotic, or turbulent - but certainly not inactive. The activities that would unfold on July 24 were cracked wide open when French paper L'Equipe dropped the bombshell that a blood sample tested at the Châtenay-Malabry laboratory from Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov had tested non-negative on the media outlet's website.

Shortly after, French authorities came-a-knocking at Astana's team hotel - the Palmeraie Hotel in Pau. As authorities settled into a rhythm for a day-long search and questioning at the premises, media vans began to roll in cavalcades toward the hotel. Astana's Marc Biver soon confirmed the dual stage winner's non-negative sample in a press conference, which followed a brief official release from the squad.