Kazakhstan: Questions Surround Tour De France Doping Scandal

Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador may have cinched the 2007 Tour de France, but for Kazakhstan's media, the doping scandal surrounding Team Astana captain Alexander Vinokourov continues to linger on. While some have voiced conspiracy theories about alleged moves to rid the race of a strong team in favor of rivals, others see the action as regrettable, but justified.

Sporting hero Vinokourov, who had been dogged by injury since falling early in the race, was removed from the competition on July 24 after two different types of red blood cells were found in his sample, suggesting that he had received a blood transfusion contrary to rules. Team Astana subsequently also withdrew from the competition.

To defend his case, Vinokourov has hired American lawyer Maurice Suh, who is also handling 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis's challenge of a doping charge. In a statement released by Suh on July 28 and cited by wire agencies, the Kazakhstani cyclist asserted that "I have always raced clean" and cast aspersions on the laboratory's testing procedures.

A backup sample, however, later confirmed the test results, French media and wire services reported on July 28. A two-year ban from competition and a fine equal to one year's salary could be the penalties handed down to Vinokourov if the test results stand.

Kazakhstan's media has offered a mixed reaction to the scandal. The one thing they agreed on was that the events that removed pre-race favorite Vinokourov came as a bombshell.

"It's simply a shock," the privately owned Kapital newspaper commented on July 26. "No one could believe this could happen to us. That the pride of Kazakhstan, silver Olympic medal winner, one of the country's best sportsmen for many years would be caught red-handed