Kazakhstan's Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) tested positive for blood doping (Image credit: AFP)
33 year-old Alexander Vinokourov said he would fight for his name and lamented the treatment of cyclists by authorities after deplaning from a flight from Frankfurt to his home country of Kazakhstan with his wife and three children. Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping last month during the Tour de France and faces a two-year ban from competition.
"In cycling nobody respects human rights," said Vinokourov in an exclusive interview with Reuters. "The situation is now worse than any other sport. I hope the truth will be found and I am going to fight for it."
Greeted by his father and about 20 supporting fans who were decked out with flowers and banners, Vino said, "I am not going to end my career like this so we will fight on."
Vino denounced cycling's current anti-doping procedures, calling them "a clear violation of human rights." He added, "You have to say three months in advance where you are planning to be, at what hour and minute. It's not possible."
After his positive test following two stage wins in the Tour de France, Vino was fired by his team, Astana. Due to the positive tests of Vino and other riders on the team, Astana will not be contesting the Vuelta a España.
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