BOURG-EN-BRESSE, France, Aug 6, 2009 (AFP) – Disgraced cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov will make his competitive return this week hoping to show he has not lost too much race form during a two-year ban for doping.

Once one of the peloton’s toughest racers Vinokourov was revealed as a cheat in 2007 when he tested positive for blood doping at the Tour de France.

The scandal led to the expulsion of his team Astana from the race, and a two-year ban left his career in tatters.

During his enforced sabbatical Astana was taken over by new management, and Spaniard Alberto Contador fully assumed the team leader’s role by winning all three major Tours of Italy (2008), France (2009) and Spain (2008).

Vinokourov said recently he would love to return to the Kazakhstan-backed outfit, and is hoping to convince Contador, who last month won his second Tour de France crown after his maiden win in 2007, to stay.

Before then the 35-year-old Kazakh is keen to test his own racing legs, and will get a chance to do so by returning to some familiar territory at the four-day Tour de l’Ain as part of a Kazakhstan national team.

It was here in 1998 that Vinokourov put his climbing skills on display by riding solo over the summit of the Grand Colombier climb, before crashing out of the race due to a fall.

The Grand Colombier could again play a decisive role on Wednesday’s fourth stage when Vinokourov, who said he has been itching to race since his doping ban ended on July 23, could be tempted to show some of his former magic.

Ahead of making a low-key comeback on Tuesday at a criterium race Vinokourov said: “The form is pretty good, but I am lacking some race rhythm. That will come soon enough.”

The race, disputed by 19 teams of six riders, is held over four days, although the third stage on Tuesday includes a road race over 103.3km to be followed by a 7.5 km time trial.

The first two stages favor the sprinters like Belgian Greg Van Avermaet of Silence, Dutchman Theo Bos of Rabobank or Frenchman Jimmy Casper, who rides for Besson.

Stages
Sunday Aug 9: Bourg-en-Bresse – Saint-Denis-les-Bourg (146.5 km)
Monday Aug 10: Trevoux – Oyonnax (146.5 km)
Tuesday Aug 11: Lelex – Lelex (103.3 km then 7.5km time trial)
Wednesday Aug 12: Belley – Culloz (129.6 km)