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Vinokourov pleads for Tour place
 Vinokourov, left, chats with Andrey Kashechkin, right, as they train in Otswald near Strasbourg. STRASBOURG, France -- Kazakh star Alexandre Vinokourov defied Tour de France chiefs Wednesday by flying into Strasbourg with his Astana team determined to start the race. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will rule Friday on whether the team can compete after Tour organizers demanded they withdraw because of former manager Manolo Saiz's implication in a Spanish blood-doping probe. "There is no evidence against our team," said Vinoukorov, tipped as a potential winner of the 93rd Tour, which starts with a prologue in Strasbourg on Saturday. "The press just comes up with suspicions, but the press can also decide the general classification if it wants!" said the 32-year-old. The team formerly known as Liberty Seguros was caught up in the Spanish Operation Puerto probe last month when Saiz was arrested after police raided an alleged blood-boosting service for athletes run by cycling doctor Eufemiano Fuentes. Also arrested was the sporting director of non-Pro Tour team Comunidad Valenciana, Jose Ignacio Labarta. Both men resigned their posts but Tour organizers on June 13 withdrew Valenciana's wildcard entry, citing Labarta's implication in the scandal. Participation guaranteedHowever, after Kazakh sponsors Astana stepped into the gap left by the departure of Liberty Seguros, the International Cycling Union (UCI) allowed them to retain their Pro Tour license, which guarantees Tour participation. "It's not normal. We drove ourselves to find the sponsors so that we could come," Vinokourov said. "I hope the Court of Arbitration for Sport makes the right decision and we can be at the start on Saturday." CAS arbitrator Guido de Croock was scheduled to hear arguments from both parties at the court's headquarters in Lausanne on Thursday, with a ruling due by midday Friday, the CAS said in a statement. Vinokourov pointed out that doping allegations were levelled against seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong during his career. "Armstrong was sometimes cited in the press but that didn't stop him competing in the Tour de France. I don't see why I can't do the Tour," said the Kazakh who was fifth in last year's race and third in 2003. Tour organizers had suggested Astana riders would not be presented with the other 20 professional teams at a public reception on Thursday evening. However, they issued a statement later on Wednesday saying Astana would be able to be present at the ceremony without giving a reason for the change. With the arbitration ruling due on Friday, Astana riders will miss their scheduled medical checkups early Thursday, although the tests can be be done later. "Our position is clear. We have asked the team not to come to the Tour. With regards to the medical visit, that extends until Friday afternoon," a Tour spokesperson said. However, the team will undergo regulation blood tests 48 hours before the start of the race as they are under the auspices of the UCI. 
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