13 February 2008
Astana
Cycling Team Barred From 2008 Tour de France
The Astana team of Tour de
France champion Alberto Contador will be excluded from cycling's showpiece
race this year because of its involvement in doping scandals the past two
seasons. The move was based ``on the damage caused by this team during the
Tour de France and to cycling in general, both in 2006 and 2007,'' race
organizer Amaury Sport Organisation said in a statement on its Web site
today. Astana didn't immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment. The
team, backed by the Kazakh government, quit last year's Tour de France
after lead rider Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping.
Andrej Kashechkin, another Astana rider, tested positive for blood doping
while training in Turkey and was suspended in August. Both test results led
to Astana being kicked out of September's Tour of Spain. It also hasn't
been invited to this year's Giro d'Italia, or Tour of Italy. Contador and
Levi Leipheimer, last year's third-place finisher, joined Astana in October
as the team underwent a makeover.
ASO
said it will monitor the team following the changes and consider it for
future inclusion in the tour if it goes through the 2008 season without
becoming embroiled in further doping scandals.
22 January 2008
The Forum has been repaired, updated and
has new area’s, including a Poll to ask members about new ideas for 2008.
Please visit the Forum, join and give feedback. A Forum can be a great
place to share ideas, experiences and let others know what you think
10 January 2008
General updating of the website is now
underway. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to the webmaster
9th January 2008
The website has
now been updated with the 2008 time trial programme. You will note that the
programme has had to be reduced this year due to a shortage in time keepers.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in becoming a time keeper
please contact Mark Blanchard on markblanchard@tiscali.co.uk
or call 07796141874.
