Astana - Will Not Be Part of the 2008 Giro d’Italia
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The well known professional road cycling Astana team or AST which is headquartered in Luxembourg; has been left out of the first Cycling triple Crown Race - the Giro d’Italia. The news regarding the team not being part of the 21 groups invited to compete next May was a real shocker for the team’s manager Johan Bruyneel.
This is the consequence of the last years’ involvement in the doping case scandal known as Operación Puerto which implicated several cyclists such as; Alexander Vinokourov who was the team-leader before he was removed due to his positive doping testing in the 2007 Tour de France. Vinokourov was a former winner of the Vuelta a España.
The team management has suffered several struggles starting with the hold of the Pro Tour license due to it belonging to the former Liberty Seguros- Würth and now the negative reaction to have the team as part of the Italian race. “"The Giro directors have the freedom to choose. We regret that. Lodging a complaint will not help us. In the coming weeks, we will prove that we still have our place in all big cycling events," Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel said.
It is understandable that the Cycling authorities are trying to make a statement regarding the constant events that have shadowed the sport; therefore; they insist in pursuing those involved as well as to teach them an important lesson. Unfortunately, not everyone needs to be punished for what others have done but the sport of Cycling is suppose to be an example of hard work, integrity and determination but the true reflection of the sport has been very different; showing only fraud, scandals, and the easy way to obtain the crown.
Nowadays, there is certainly a crisis in the Cycling world as not only Astana but Credit Agricole has also been left out of the list of participants in the Giro. No one truly knows what is next to come but the teams are crying out for a prompt gathering to known the events’ organizers word on what is happening and what is next to expect in order to avoid further scandals.
On the other hands, the race organizers and the international cycling union have agreed on becoming more selective of those that participate in the great yearly events; particularly those who have been tainted by the growing use of unauthorized performance-enhancing drugs.
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