OLYMPIC ROAD RACE gold medallist Alexandre Vinokourov has announced his immediate retirement from cycling.
“I am very happy because I rode my last race in San Sebastian and Spain,” Vinokourov told Spanish website Biciciclismo. ”I tried to do it well and be competitive. I wanted to (perform), and my team (Astana) as well. However, my legs were not like those of the Olympic Games.”
“I am aware that I am going to leave cycling. It hasn’t sunk in yet. It is difficult for me. But being 39 years old in September, I knew that I had to stop. At least I’ve been able to go leave by the front door and am satisfied with it.”
Vinokourov said he was yet to decide on his future plans, but would return home to meet Kazakhstan president Nursultan Nazarbayev along with the nation’s other 2012 Olympic champions.
“I will be meeting with the (cycling) federation to speak about my future and talk about ideas,” he said. “I’ll have a special place in the team, so we will see.”
Vinokourov, who won the 2006 Vuelta a Espana and four stages of the Tour de France, said he was surprised by his victory at the London Games.
“I did not expect my victory in London,” he said. ”It was the maximum that could wish for and it was very important for my country.”
Despite his successes, Vinokourov will also be remembered for serving a two-year suspension for blood doping in 2007.
