Vinokourov banned from Tour de France

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LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- Star cyclist Alexandre Vinokourov has been banned from next month's Tour de France.

The top court in international sports says the 35-year-old Kazakh rider should have been barred for two years after being caught blood doping during the 2007 Tour.

The Kazakhstan cycling federation banned Vinokourov for only one year, but cycling's governing body appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court said Tuesday that Vinokourov can compete again beginning July 24. This summer's Tour starts July 4.

Vinokourov and his Astana teammates were forced out of the 2007 Tour when he tested positive for a banned blood transfusion after winning the 13th stage. He retired last year, then said he planned to race again.

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