 Vinokourov is one of Kazakhstan's highest-profile sports stars |
The Spanish cycling team hit by a key sponsor pulling out in the wake of a drugs investigation has a new backer. Kazakh sponsor Astana has replaced US insurance giant Liberty, who cut ties with the Liberty Seguros-Wurth outfit.
It withdrew after team manager Manolo Saiz was questioned by Spanish police during a massive anti-doping operation. The team have denied any wrongdoing.
Kazakh Alexandre Vinokourov, third in the 2003 Tour de France and fifth last year, remains as team leader.
The deal is thought to be for three years with the option of another three.
The team will now be known as Astana-Wurth.
Wurth, a German engineering company, stayed with the team as their second sponsor after Liberty pulled out.
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