Sports Betting Articles
Vinokourov wins stage 15th at the Tour of France
By Audrey Nolan
Alexandre Vinokourov, the Kazakh rider won the 15th stage at the Tour of France in a display of good-quality performance which in a way was overshadowed by the overall challenges facing the leader Michael Rasmussen.
The Dane rider had to deal with some unpleasant remarks from his foremost rival, Alberto Contador, about the rumors surrounding Rasmussen regarding the doping issues; while Contador stated that it will be real bad for the sport if he won the Tour.
"With all this speculation around him it would be better if somebody else were to win," UCI chief Pat McQuaid told the Associated Press on Monday. "The last thing this sport needs is more speculation about doping."McQuaid added, however, the Danish rider has "broken no rules, so from that point of view ... you have to give him the benefit of the doubt."
He has missed two drug tests by the Danish anti-doping agency, one in May another one in June, and since April he has not respond to two warnings from the International Cycling Union. If there was a third infraction with either; the UCI or the Danish agency, such type of action would be considered equal to a positive test and leads to a forbid.
Vinokourov, a favorite to win the Tour, lost all the hope of a victory after he lost nearly 19 minutes to Rasmussen on Sunday, but today he crossed the line alone in 5 hours, 34 minutes and 28 seconds. "I wasn't motivated yesterday ... but the team told me I could still win stages. I gave my all," said Vinokourov, he has certainly had a rough time to achieve the overall lead since injuring his knees in the fifth stage.
The investigation has indeed brought back memories of 1998, when there was evidence found of performance enhancing drugs in a Festina team car, fact that endangered the Tour to nearly devastating the event.
About the Author:
Audrey Nolan is a high-ranking writer on sports for the online betting industry. You can also find more of her work at www.instantactionsports.com/uk/
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