Cycling: Olympic champion Vinokourov retires

Alexandre Vinokourov confirmed that Tuesday’s San Sebastian Classic was the last professional bike race of his career, according to The Telegraph.

Vinokourov was expected to make the announcement of his retirement from the sport at the end of the season, however the Kazakh who won last month’s Olympic road race, said that he has decided to call time on his career.

“I am very happy because I rode my last race in San Sebastián and Spain,” said Vinokourov. “I tried to do it well and be competitive. I wanted to perform and my team as well. However, my legs were not like those at the Olympic Games. I did not expect my victory in London. It was the maximum I could wish for and it was very important for my country. I want to thank my family and friends for their support.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2012.