Kashechkin pleads for return to peloton

[Richard (Apples)]

PARIS, Jan 11, 2008 (AFP) - Disgraced Kazakh cyclist Andrey
Kashechkin has pleaded for a team to sign him despite facing a ban
for a positive test for blood doping following the Tour de France.
Kashechkin was sacked from the drug-tainted Astana team after he
tested positive for homologous blood doping - using blood from a
compatible donor to boost his performance - at an out-of-competition
control in Turkey last August.
Although he has contested the validity of that test, Kashechkin
is facing a ban from the sport, a fate which is likely to befall his
former teammate, compatriot Alexandre Vinokourov, after he too
tested positive for blood doping.
Since Vinokourov's positive test during the Tour de France,
which led to the expulsion of the entire Astana team, he has retired
from cycling.
Kashechkin meanwhile continues to hit out at the authorities
over his positive test, and said through his lawyer, Luc Misson,
that he is training in anticipation of joining a new team.
"He would be ready to accept a contract with a new team even
with the stipulation that it (contract) could be suspended or
cancelled if he were to be disciplined," said Misson.
"... he continues to train and right now he is in great shape."
Misson has meanwhile hit out at the sport's ruling body, the
International Cycling Union (UCI), saiying it has failed to send
crucial documents relating to the case to its Kazakh counterpart.
Initially, it is up to the Kazakh federation to dish out any
suspension to Kashechkin.
"The UCI hasn't respected its own rules," said the Belgian
lawyer.
bur-jm/jd/lp08
AFP
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http://www.afxpress.com

[Andrew G]

[quote]"... he continues to train and right now he is in great shape."

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

one - won

sorry Marco

[Richard (Apples)]

hahahahaha