Alexandre Vinokourov. ©Reuters
Swiss media accused Kazakhstan bicycle racer Alexandre Vinokourov of buying Liege-Bastogne-Liege race victory from Russian Alexandre Koblenev in 2010, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Vesti.ru. According to the Swiss newspaper L'Illustre Vinokourov paid 100 000 euro ($133 000) to Koblenev for not resisting him in the final of the race. After Koblenev and Vinokourov left behind the leading bunch Vinokourov, the Astana leader, gained the lead and won the race. Swiss journalists have analyzed the emails written by Vinokourov and Koblenev and realized that the riders had pre-agreed on the final result of the race. Vinokourov denies any involvement.: “I have never done anything like this during all my whole career, I always fight for victory,” the racer says.
Swiss media accused Kazakhstan bicycle racer Alexandre Vinokourov of buying Liege-Bastogne-Liege race victory from Russian Alexandre Koblenev in 2010, Tengrinews.kz reports, citing Vesti.ru.
According to the Swiss newspaper L'Illustre Vinokourov paid 100 000 euro ($133 000) to Koblenev for not resisting him in the final of the race. After Koblenev and Vinokourov left behind the leading bunch Vinokourov, the Astana leader, gained the lead and won the race.
Swiss journalists have analyzed the emails written by Vinokourov and Koblenev and realized that the riders had pre-agreed on the final result of the race.
Vinokourov denies any involvement.: “I have never done anything like this during all my whole career, I always fight for victory,” the racer says.