Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan broke free and snatched the title of the men’s cycling road race from the British team frantically trying to set up a win for Mark Cavendish, the world champion. It happened in the London Olympic when he overtook Rigoberto Uran of Colombia near the Buckingham Palace and that left a one minute gap for the star British team to deal with in which they failed collectively.
Born Alexander Nikolaevich Vinokourov on 17th September, 1973 in Kazakhstan, he is the General Manger of Astana, the UCI Pro Team and retired rider now. He has for his career credits two world championship bronze medals, four Tour de France stage wins, four stage wins in Vuelta a España and the 2006 overall title, one Amstel Gold Race, two Liege Bastogne Liege monuments and the now legendary 2012 London Olympics Gold in the men’s road race. He was also a double medal winner at summer Olympics and the past national champion and world known celebrity of Kazakhstan.
Vinokourov turned professional in 1998 after he moved to France to finish his career as an amateur rider a year before. During Tour de France 2007 he was found blood-doping and the entire Astana team had to pay the price of withdrawing from the race.
He returned back in 2009 after serving the two year suspension to take part in competitions and cycled for his cherished team Astana and his country. He met with a crash in the Tour de France 2011 and it was serious enough to put a question on his cycling career.
However Vinokourov made his intention clear with the announcement of his continuance for another season in 2012 keeping in mind the London Olympic Games. He proved a nightmare for the much touted British team and made the gold for men’s road race his own after he dramatically won it.