Vinokurov successfully operated in Paris

Leader of Kazakhstan cycling team Astana Aleksandr Vinokurov has been successully operated in Paris hospital, the team's official website writes. He was delivered to Paris yesterday, July 10, after a fall at the ninth round of Tour de France. “Vinokurov was diagnosed with a complicated pelvic fracture. The surgery was made by professor Yves Catonné. It was successful. The sportsman's wife will come to Paris from Kazakhstan tomorrow,” the website writes. Earlier Tengrinews.kz English reported that 98 km before the finish, Vinokurov got into a ditch and managed to get up only with the help of his partners. He was hospitalized immediately. Prior to the race, Vinokurov mentioned that this Tour de France would be the last in his career. The cyclist had an objective to win one of the rounds of the “Big Loop” and try a yellow T-shirt of the leader. Before the “fatal” round he was ranked 11th in the general classification being 32 seconds behind the leader. It is unknown whether the cyclist will be able to participate in the Olympics-2012 in London. According to experts, Tour de France this year is the most “bloody” in its whole history. Besides Vinokurov, Bradley Wiggins, Jurgen Van Den Broeck, Tom Bonen, Jani Brajkovic and Dave Zabriskie have already left the race because of falls and injuries. Today, July 11, is the first day off at Tour de France. The tenth round will be between Aurillac and Carmaux. The total of 21 stages are scheduled and the race will finish on July 24.