Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

The process for the change of sponsorship from Liberty-Seguros to Astana has cleared the investigation by the UCI. This allows the team of Alexandre Vinokourov to be allowed to participate in the Tour de France. This is a big relief for Vino since there was a very real possibility that the team would not be [...]

(pic from Eurosport)
Comunidad Valencianna (formerly Kelme) are now uninvited to the Tour de France as a result of the Operation Puerto investigation. No surprise from this announcement as it was already seen as a done deal. Jean Marie Leblanc has stated previously that no other team will be invited in place of CV. No surprise [...]

The new kit is out and it may seem like a rushed job, but a Kazakistan company or conglomorate has stepped up to make sure that Alexandre Vinokourov rides the Tour de France this year. With the fallout of Operation Puerto resulting in the departure of main sponsor Liberty Seguros, things looked grimm for the [...]

Good riddance to Manolo Saiz from the world of cycling. That of course is if the stories are true and he is guilty. But this is cycling and Europe, so he is pretty much guilty until he is found innocent.
Is it just too much to ask that if you sign a contract with a major [...]

Alex Vinokourov has been absent from many races this year choosing instead to train on the mountainous roads around Nice. He made a recent appearance at Paris-Nice while out on a training ride, but only to say hello to his teammates and other pals. Before this week Vino has not slapped a racing number on [...]

Sounding a bit like Tonto talking about the Lone Ranger, Manolo Saiz believes in Roberto Heras. Heras, as you know is now serving a two year ban after tests taken during the Vuelta show that he was on the EPO juice. Saiz does not believe the tests were done accurately and that if there [...]

The best know Kazakistan other than Borat is ready for the challenge of the 2006 Tour de France. Seems like ages since Vinokourov announced that he signed for Liberty Seguros. By now it seems like forgettable news since Liberty won the Vuelta with Heras only to lose it on the revelation of a positive EPO [...]

Roberto Heras’ second sample came up positive for EPO. Does this mean that the test is flawed? or that doping controls to catch cheats are working? Either way, we will not be seeing Roberto Heras racing next year as he will soon be fired by his team. Heras will appeal this finding, but as the [...]