Astana team captain Alexandre Vinokourov wants to win today’s second stage of the Tour de France, which passes through the hilly Ardennes, for more than purely personal glory. A victory in Spa would be a fitting birthday present for Kazakh president Nursultan Nazarbayev, who turns 70 today, Vinokourov told l’Equipe.
“I dream of a stage win,” Vinokourov said, “and I know the course in the Ardennes well; I have celebrated success there.”
Vinokourov won Liège-Bastogne-Liège in April of this year, adding a second victory in la Doyenne to his first in 2005; he also finished third in the race in 2004. The short, steep hills of the region suit the Kazakh’s aggressive punchy style and he will be one of the favourites to take the stage, particularly with the Côte de Rosier coming at 12km to the finish.
“On July 6th our president Nazarbayev celebrates his 70th birthday,” Vinokourov continued, “a stage victory in the Tour would be a nice gift; I would enjoy the symbolism.”
The Astana team is sponsored by a number of state-owned Kazakh businesses, and named after the capital of the country. Nazarbayev has been president of Kazakhstan since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1990, the city of Astana replaced Almaty as the country’s capital soon afterwards.
As the country’s president, Nazarbayev is effectively a sponsor of Vinokourov’s team; Vinokourov is one of Kazakhstan’s highest profile sportsmen, a gift from him would likely mean a lot to Nazarbayev.