Alexander Vinokourov ended his professional cycling career in 2012 with a gold medal in the men's road race at the London Olympics. Throughout a career spanning from 1998 to 2012, the Kazakhstani athlete secured multiple Grand Tour stage victories, monument wins, and a Vuelta a España overall title, while navigating significant suspensions and team leadership roles.
Early Development and Amateur Years
Born in 1973 in Beskol, Vinokourov began cycling at age 11 in a local youth sports school. He moved to Almaty in 1986 to refine his training before completing compulsory military service. In 1997, he relocated to France to ride for the amateur club Espoir Cycliste Saint-Étienne Loire, where he secured ten race wins. These performances led to a professional contract with the Casino team for the 1998 season.
Professional Rise and Team Telekom
During his early professional years, Vinokourov won events including the Four Days of Dunkirk and the Volta a la Comunitat Valenciana. Joining Team Telekom in 2000, he finished second in the Olympic road race that year behind Jan Ullrich. His tenure with the German team included winning Paris–Nice in 2002 and contributing to various high-profile stage races as both a domestique and a leader.
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Vinokourov faced a two-year ban for blood doping discovered during the 2007 Tour de France, which caused his team to withdraw from the race. He returned to competition in 2009 with the Kazakhstan national team and subsequently rejoined Astana. Despite a serious crash during the 2011 Tour de France, he persisted until 2012 to fulfill his goal of competing in the London Olympics.
Management Roles
Following his retirement from professional racing in 2012, Vinokourov transitioned into team management for the UCI WorldTeam Astana. Although he was dismissed as team principal in June 2021, he returned to the role in August 2021. Throughout his career and beyond, he has held the title of honorary colonel in the Kazakh army.
Fast facts
- Born: 1973, Beskol, Kazakhstan
- Professional start: 1998
- 2012 Olympic Gold Medalist: Men's Road Race
- 2006 Vuelta a España: Overall winner
- Professional ban: 2007–2009
- Current role: General Manager, Astana Team
- Award: Order of Parasat
- Languages: Russian
Questions readers ask
Did Vinokourov win a Grand Tour?
Yes, he won the overall title at the 2006 Vuelta a España.
Was he ever suspended from cycling?
Yes, he served a two-year ban for blood doping beginning in 2007.
What is his current occupation?
He serves as the general manager of the UCI WorldTeam Astana.
Achievements
- Order of Parasat
- Competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Competed at the 1996 Summer Olympics
