ANS (Belgium), April 25, 2010 (AFP) – Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov (Astana), back in the peloton after a two-year ban for doping in 2007, is quoted as saying “I am turning the page” and “have demonstrated I can also win without doping “, after his victory Sunday in Liege-Bastogne-Liège.

Interview is translated from French, so please excuse the poor translation.

QUESTION: In what state of mind are you after this success?
ANSWER: “It’s very emotional to come back to win in five years after my first win in the Dean. It’s more beautiful than a dream. I was not sure he recovered from the Giro del Trentino this week . Yesterday (Saturday), I did not recognize the term. I stayed at the hotel to rest. It was the right choice.

Q: You have been suspended for doping. Do you understand that it is difficult to trust you again?
A: “I turned the page. What I want to show now is that I can win without doping. Vino Because that’s class. And a lot of work. For the job I want return trust journalists and the public. Today is a beautiful contrast. ”

Q: After two years of suspension from 2007, you did not take long to find a very good level. How do you explain?
A: “I’ve never stopped training. I spent much time in the mountains, sometimes seven hours a day to talk and keep hoping to become a good runner. I worked very hard and I ‘t class. At no time have I ceased to be a cyclist. I’ve never cracked.
I wanted to show that we can win without doping. It was a goal. ”

Q: Why are you training in Tenerife, in a region where doctors perform sulfur, including Dr. Fuentes?
A: “I isolate myself in Tenerife to concentrate on coaching. In Monaco (his place of residence, ie), there are my children. It’s not always easy to just focus on the bike. Tenerife also has the advantage of climate, altitude and topography. Many runners train there without going to see Dr. Fuentes. Recently we were 25-30 lead us there. Next year even the French will come to Tenerife. And me, I have my habits since 2003.

Q: Are you training again with Dr Ferrari, whose reputation is also poor in doping?
A: “No, I do not train more with Ferrari. Not with someone else besides. I train alone, I have enough experience.”

Q: You condemn doping?
A: “Of course I condemn. It’s also why I’m back. There are riders who still play with it today, I know. It’s wrong.
I have paid. Now I look at the future. ”

Q: Do you have your success in Liege Alberto Contador who has mastered Gilbert?
A: “Not only. That’s the whole team has worked well. Of course with Alberto and me in the end we had two rounds to play.”

Q: Do you plan on racing the Tour de France?
A: “Yes, after the Giro, I dream of doing the Tour. And if I have the chance to run, it will be to save Alberto. I will ride for him, I promised him that I did not put spanner in the works. Me, my dream came true today in Liege. I hope to get on the Champs-Elyfian with Alberto. Afterwards, it may be time to end my career. ”

Interview by Benedict CHRISTMAS