Madrid: Alexander Vinokourov, who returned to cycling this month after a two-year doping ban, is back with Astana and will race for them in this week's Tour of Spain.
"From August 24th 2009 Kazakh professional rider Alexander Vinokourov will be part of the Astana cycling team," the Kazakh-funded team said in a statement.
"Vinokourov's first race will be the Tour of Spain which starts next Saturday in Assen, the Netherlands."
The Kazakh rider, who won the 2006 Tour of Spain, has signed a contract with Astana until the end of 2010.
The 35-year-old was without a team when he returned in a low-key race in France this month and said he wanted to return to Astana.
Vinokourov was banned for two years after testing positive for blood doping in the 2007 Tour de France. He denied any wrongdoing.
His positive test came after he won a time trial. He was kicked out of the race and his Astana team were told to leave the event.
Astana were not invited to the 2008 Tour de France but returned in style this year, placing first and third through Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong respectively.
US rider Armstrong has said he will quit Astana to form an American-based team in 2010 in partnership with RadioShack Corporation.
Spaniard Contador has a year left on his contract and Astana have said he must stay.
The Tour of Spain ends on Sept. 20.
Bureau Report
First Published: Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 08:59