L’Illustre will hand over the evidence to UCI regarding the 100,000 Euros scandal
International Cycling Union has mentioned that it will investigate the matter concerning the 100,000 Euros paid to buy the 2010 Liege-Bastogne-Liege victory. Swiss magazine L’Illustre claimed earlier that Alexander Vinokourov has paid the mentioned amount
to Alexandr Kolobnev to let him win at the race.
The news appeared as a shock and both the cyclists denied it but the issue has now become more severe after the magazine published the emails exchanged between the two.
The sensitivity of the issue has caught the eye of the International Cycling Union, which will now investigate the matter.
Both the riders were amongst the final bunch along with Alejandro Valverde, Philippe Gilbert and Cadel Evans.
Vinokourov powered a stride towards the end of the race that left Kolobnev behind, at the second slot.
Kolobnev commented after the race, saying that it was a matter of the best man winning. He said that he was not strong enough to match the likes of Vinokourov, who surprised him with the final attack.
He also mentioned that the race went well as it concluded with both the Russian riders at the podium.
L’Illustre somehow managed to peek through Vinokourov’s personal inbox and published the emails exchanged between the two riders.
The communication published by the magazine does not mention the amount of 100,000 Euros but it clearly states that Kolobnev let his compatriot sail through the finish-line.
The published email states, “Not so much because of our agreement, but mostly because of my feelings towards you and towards your situation”.
Vinokourov has already stated that he will take legal action against the magazine for interfering in his personal issues.
He mentioned in a statement issued by Team Astana, "It is a violation of my privacy, how can we explain that emails arrive as if by chance on the desktop of a journalist without knowledge of their origin? My lawyers will also prosecute anyone who infringes
on my integrity".
The matter is far from a personal matter as UCI has decided to investigate the issue itself.
L’Illustre has been asked to produce the evidence and give all the factual and clear information to UCI so that the truth can be established. UCI will make no further comments on the matter until the investigation is over.
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