Alexandre Vinokourov has been fired by the Astana cycling team.
Vinokourov, the pre-race favourite, was thrown out of the Tour de France last week after returning a ‘non-negative’ Test result for blood doping after the time-trial in Albi.
The 33-year-old Kazakh had assembled the team himself and insisted they wear a uniform in the Kazakhstan national colours.
But as of Monday he is no longer part of the team which left the Tour after their leader was thrown out.
A statement issued to PA Sport by the Astana team on Monday said: ‘Astana Cycling Team received the confirmation that the B-sample of Alexandre Vinokourov was also ‘non negative’.
‘The rider is then fired from the Astana Cycling Team with immediate effect.’
Vinokourov on Saturday proclaimed his innocence, claiming he would 'have to be mad' to have committed the alleged doping offence.
