Vino to race Olympics

by The Team Chef on Apr 25, 2008 12:52 PM EDT

As anyone who has read my Astanagate article ( http://www.thevirtualmusette.com/posts/2008/2/22/astanagate.html) will know, this news ( http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Vinokourov_planning_to_return_at_the_Olympics_article_254282.htm l)comes as no surprise to me.

Vino's suspension was carefully orchestrated to allow for his participation in the Olympics. It should also come as no great shock when he also participates in the World Champs.

To the best of my knowledge, the UCI never appealed his 1 year sanction to CAS, so he'll be free to ride after July 20th.

Here's the million dollar question: Will he be returning to Astana? If so, will he be at the Vuelta? Oh what a tangled web...

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I suspect this is why Astana stayed in cycling

But if so I think reality has made that plan obsolete. If Astana take on Vino they can forget about all ASO-races next year.

by Jens on Apr 25, 2008 1:01 PM EDT reply actions

And all RCS races

and maybe even the pro tour, such as it is. I think I need to do a longer post on this stuff.

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 25, 2008 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I just have to believe that Johan Bruyneel's deal with Astana would have included explicit assurances that they wouldn't foist Vino on him... He's too much of a strategist to have not thought that one through!

by cg. on Apr 25, 2008 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Are you sure.

Bruyneel didn't really have that many options. It was either Astana or retire and, ahem, seek fresh opportunities. What's daytime TV like in Holland?

by Monty. on Apr 26, 2008 3:25 AM EDT up reply actions

that can't be true

Vino said that he had retired from cyclingnd he wouldn't try the olympics. What a shame. I'm so tired of all this

by King of Doping on Apr 25, 2008 3:55 PM EDT reply actions

Can the UCI still appeal to the CAS?

And would that pending arbitration prohibit Vino from riding in the Olympics?

There's a brand new dance, but I don't know it's name.

by flying dog on Apr 25, 2008 5:30 PM EDT reply actions

doubtful

by Chris Fontecchio on Apr 25, 2008 5:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw Gibo's quote yesterday

classic.

As for Vino ever riding again... BOOO! I have never liked that guy, He reminds me of the Jaws, the villain from an old Bond film.

Let Vino stay on the steppe.

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Apr 25, 2008 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

out of competition testing

The article does note that the UCI could refuse him a license since he has not been available for out of competition testing for the last year. If so that could be a less messy way out of this. I like(d) Vino as a rider, but this is stinky.

by 3dogbike on Apr 25, 2008 5:38 PM EDT reply actions

He had been one of my favorites

Until walls crumbled. I was really depressed when his news came out. I loved him for never giving in or quiting and to then have to rethink every move I saw. Crushing it was.

Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want. -Randy Pausch

by nikki on Apr 25, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

And I

once thought the same about Bjarne Riis. A dash of excitement and flair after the megabore Indurain years.

by Monty. on Apr 26, 2008 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions

he was my favorite rider for about four years

then he signed with Manolo. then puerto happened. then he and kasheckin missed a drug test in the middle of the 06 vuelta and wasn't penalized. the last one was the crusher.

but i wouldn't mind seeing him at the olympics. he's pushing 35 and he was clearly losing form last year. a 65 hematocrit and ten fresh gallons of his father's vodka-laced blood won't put him on the podium.

by Mr 60 Percent on Apr 25, 2008 8:02 PM EDT reply actions

really?

what are your sources for vino's positive in Vuelta? I never heard that

by King of Doping on Apr 25, 2008 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

There was not a positive,

but both Kash and Vino did miss a control. As I recall, it was some BS about waking up late, missing the team bus, and arriving after the testers had already left.

Everyone, including the organizers, simply ignored the whole episode.

thevirtualmusette.com

by The Team Chef on Apr 25, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

viva la espana!

snark never sleeps

America is all about speed. Hot, nasty, badass speed. -Eleanor Roosevelt

by ELVISGOAT on Apr 26, 2008 3:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Last what I heard on Vino

was that he is haaaard partying in France...
I seriously doubt that he would ride the Olympics, even if he could do it.
Surely Vino has some contacts with the Astana team, he was the one who pulled all the sponsors together, but I don't believe he has anything to do with the "racing" team..

by Bruce on Apr 26, 2008 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

Whoa!

If Vino parties the same way he rides a bike, that must be some partying.

If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague

by bethie on Apr 26, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

That is true..... Some serious partying!;)

3 days in a row was the latest....
Not looking like an athlete preparing for the Olympics! LOL!
He still rides, but I think only to keep himself fit (when not drinking), but the idea of him racing the Olympics, and riding for team Astana seems to be very far streched....
sorry for the bad English, hope you got it.

by Bruce on Apr 28, 2008 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions