This invasion of privacy is a new episode of the pressure and personal attacks that the Kazakh leader suffered in recent years. "I do not understand why some people are always looking to find some stories about me, says Alexandre Vinokourov. I am a cyclist and there is no place in our sport for the gutter press. I don't ever allow myself to attack anyone personally. I wish to finish my career quietly even though obviously it bothers some people that I'm still on a bike. "

Team Astana rider who politically committed to support the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for future elections in his country, reserves the right to complain in court if new press articles about his private life should be published in the future.

Last Tuesday at 9pm, Valentin Iglinskiy got a speeding fines in Nice and was stoped by the french police.

Here are the facts proven in this case:

- Speeding: Valentin was driving at 203km/h on highway

- Blood alcohol positive: Valentin had a rate of 0.64 mg of alcohol per liter of air exhaled.

- Test drugs negative: The saliva test of Valentin was negative.

Regarding his discussion with the police, their might be some misunderstanding, because Valentin can't understand and speak french, english or italian correctly. The team was astonished to learn that he signed a legal paper with statements in french, while he can't understand, speak and read this language.

As stated above, the test drugs was negative, and Valentin Iglinskiy refutes the statements of French radio RTL that says he was tested positive for cocaine. Valentin was then submitted by the police in a blood test and a urine test and the results are not yet revealed. For its part, the UCI came yesterday morning at the home of Valentin and did a blood test, the results of this test is not yet known. We will communicate these results as soon as we know them.

Also, Alexandre Vinokourov rejects the information stated in French Radio RTL that Valentin was just leaving his house, this is totally wrong, they didn't spend the evening together.

Also the Radio RTL stated that Valentin Iglinskiy, was engaged in Tour de France 2011, this is another mistake made by the french radio, because he never took part in this edition of Tour de France.

The team was really shocked to learn that the case was released to the press and that incorrect statements were published while no official result has yet been provided. The Pro Team Astana has the right to take legal action against any inaccurate communication on this matter and will communicate officially on the matter after the official results of blood tests are known. Pending these results, Valentin Iglinskiy rejects the use of any drugs and would like to publicly apologize for this speeding with an alcohol level above the average.

Alexandre Vinokourov will ride for the last Tour de France in his career as cyclist. At a press conference this afternoon he outlined his goals, discussed his feelings about this 

race, and finally talked about his future and that of team Astana.

Alexandre, what is your goal for this 2011 Tour?

As I said from the beginning of the season, my goal for that year would be to wear the yellow jersey a few days, to end my career on a beautiful note. Then, I'd like to win a mountain stage if possible. Then, we will focus on the best team classification . Concerning the general, I know I can not expect an overall victory, I have already finished third in Tour de France (in 2003) and fifth (in 2005) and I am pleased to see that I'm in good shape. I’ve seen I can feel good during one week race like the Critérium du Dauphiné recently, but three weeks is more difficult, we'll see what can happen!

Have you spotted a stage where you would love to attack?

I have not scheduled a stage in particular, I saw that the arrival of tomorrow could suit me for example. There is also the stage Tuesday with the Mur de Bretagne and other stages at the end of first week. But I do not program in advance, when I feel good, I feel that the legs respond well, I'm going.

In your opinion, is it the Pyrenees or the Alps which will decide the general classification of the Tour?

I think that the Pyrenees will be very selective, but are the Alps will decide the final victory. In particular the stage in the Alpes d'Huez after climbing the Galibier, rankings will surely change, and also the time trial in Grenoble might change the standings.  

This will be your participation in the ninth Tour de France, what do you think of this race? What is your fondest memory?

It's the biggest race in the world, here we have different sensations than other races, it's incomparable. And it works up to the year for this moment. I think it's a great race and also a great spectacle for the spectators. My best memory, may be the final podium in 2003. And also, my victory on the Champs Elysees in 2005, it was a great surprise, I had already tried several times to win this stage and this is the kind of events that happen once in a lifetime, it’s a very good memory.

It's really your last Tour de France?

Yes, this will be my last Tour, well, my last Tour on the bike. As I said from the beginning of the season, I will end my cycling career this year, in September, I will turn 38, it seems to be the right time. If there was not the Astana team, I think I could continue for 2 or 3 years, not to win the long race, but to win some stages. But I want to do as riders like Richard Virenque and Laurent Jalabert who decided to stop their career at the right time.

What will you do next? Will you become a manager of the Astana team?

Regarding my future, nothing is decided yet, first I will stay focus on this Tour de France. Then I will take a few days off in Kazakhstan, I will discuss with the sponsors of the team and the Kazakh government on that occasion. I'd love to continue to work within the Astana team, is a project dear to my heart. Become manager is always possible, it is true that this team has been created around me in the beginning, but I don’t want to go too fast. For example I can start working alongside Giuseppe Martinelli to learn, if I had to work in the direction of the team, I want to take my time.

What about the future of the Astana team?

We have a Pro Tour license for 3 years and our sponsor has committed to three years (until 2013), until there are good results, I think it will continue. We follow a political and a sport project with this team, not a commercial purpose. We're here to represent an entire nation and we are really proud of it. For years to come, we don’t want to recruit only stars from other countries, we also plan to train young Kazakhs to win some good races. We hope that the Astana team will be part of a training project, with the creation of a second team Astana to train promising young Kazakhs, so that they incorporate the Pro Team Astana after a solid preparation. For example, Andrey Zeits (who finished 2nd overall in Tour of Turkey 2011) who is here with us in Tour de France, is representative of this new generation of Kazakh riders. He has potential, and if he works hard, I think that one day he will be able to win races such as Paris-Nice.

“It’s good to see Team RadioShack returning to the Santos Tour Down Under for the second time since its debut in 2010,” says Santos Tour Down Under Race Director, Mike Turtur.

“Team RadioShack will return with seasoned riders such as Sebastian Rosseler and Jason McCartney who both rode with Armstrong at the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under.

“Another strong rider to join the team in Adelaide is three-time Swiss Champion Gregory Rast who has an impressive Swiss National Road Race Championships record.”

The 2007 Tour de Luxembourg winner won the Under-23 Category in 2002 before winning the overall Men’s Category twice in both 2004 and in 2006.

“Markel Irizar is another rider to look out for. He showed his competitive side at the 2009 Santos Tour Down Under by winning the Škoda King of the Mountains classification,” says Mike Turtur.

“From this line-up, Armstrong will be well supported by a strong quad that has a good combination of youth and experience for his farewell ride.”

A cancer survivor, Armstrong retired from professional cycling in 2005 but launched his comeback at the 2009 Santos Tour Down Under to promote the efforts of Livestrong, a foundation he set up to create awareness and raise funds for his global cancer campaign.

Team Manager, Jose Azevedo (POR) will be leading Team RadioShack in the 2011 Santos Tour Down Under with the following riders:

Lance Armstrong (USA)

Markel Irizar (ESP)

Sebastian Rosseler (BEL)

Jason McCartney (USA)

Gregory Rast (SUI)

Ben Hermans (BEL)

Manuel Cardoso (PRT)