I like the Tour de France, generally like bike riding, but this was unexpected:
www.cyclingnews.com presents the 94th Tour de France
Cycling News Flash for July 25, 2007Edited by Laura Weislo
Vinokourov positive for transfusion, Astana quits TourThe Tour de France was rocked by news that Astana’s battered team leader, Alexandre Vinokourov, tested positive for a homologous blood transfusion after Saturday’s time trial in Albi. L’Equipe reported on Tuesday afternoon that the Kazakh’s blood had shown evidence of a transfusion from another person with a compatible blood type in an analysis done in the Châtenay-Malabry laboratory. The positive test was later confirmed by the Astana team.
Upon receiving the news, the Astana team suspended Vinokourov and quit the Tour de France, according to a statement which read, “According to the ethical code of the Astana Cycling Team, Alexandre Vinokourov has been suspended of the team with immediate effect. The rider asked nevertheless [for] a B-analysis.”
So, how do you catch a same-type transfusion? New antibodies?
He had two distinct types of RBCs on his smear. He may also have had a hematocrit above the upper limit.
The amazing thing to me is that he thought he could get away with that? It’s an easy catch (compared, say, to Landis’ affair). And he won a stage, too! Crazy.
Also apparently Kloden is out (he was on Astana) and he was in 5th and had a shot at winning the tour. How pissed must he be?
Wikipedia indicates the test utilizes flow-cytometry. Interesting.
The drumstick appendages in the neutrophils indicating a dormant X chromosome were a dead giveaway.