Vincenzo Nibali: Cyclist pays price for hitching lift | CNN

Vincenzo Nibali: Cyclist kicked out of Tour of Spain after hitching lift

By John Sinnott
2 minute read
Published 7:12 AM EDT, Mon August 24, 2015
Astana's main man Vincenzo Nibali won the Tour de France in 2014.
Astana's main man Vincenzo Nibali won the Tour de France in 2014.
Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan. It's also the name of the country's professional road cycling team.
Astana is the capital of Kazakhstan. It's also the name of the country's professional road cycling team.
Stanislav Filippova/AFP/Getty Images/file
Founded in 2007, Astana is sponsored by Kazakhstan's Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk Kazyna.
Founded in 2007, Astana is sponsored by Kazakhstan's Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk Kazyna.
Stanislav Filippova/AFP/Getty Images/file
Nibali took the lead in the 2014 Tour de France after winning the second stage in Sheffield, England.
Nibali took the lead in the 2014 Tour de France after winning the second stage in Sheffield, England.
Lionel Bonadventure/AFP/Getty Images
But Astana's entry into cycling has not been without bumps, and the team has been embroiled in its fair share of doping scandals.
But Astana's entry into cycling has not been without bumps, and the team has been embroiled in its fair share of doping scandals.
Eric Feferbert/AFP/Getty Images/file
Nibali -- here congratulated by his teammates after completing his victory in Paris -- has brought Astana kudos since joining in 2013..
Nibali -- here congratulated by his teammates after completing his victory in Paris -- has brought Astana kudos since joining in 2013..
Lionel Bonadventure/AFP/Getty
The Italian (center) is free to defend his title in July after Astana was allowed to keep its racing license despite a series of doping scandals, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on April 23, 2015.
The Italian (center) is free to defend his title in July after Astana was allowed to keep its racing license despite a series of doping scandals, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on April 23, 2015.
ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Images
The UCI's independent license commission said Astana has committed to "undergo a fundamental reform in order to prevent the risks of doping."
The UCI's independent license commission said Astana has committed to "undergo a fundamental reform in order to prevent the risks of doping."
Nibali (center in yellow) started the 2014 season with confidence after winning the Giro D'Italia in his first year at the Kazakh team.
Nibali (center in yellow) started the 2014 season with confidence after winning the Giro D'Italia in his first year at the Kazakh team.
JEFF PACHOUD/AFP/Getty Image
Nibali, pictured during the 14th stage of the 2014 Tour de France, is one of only six cyclists to have won all three of the sport's major races.
Nibali, pictured during the 14th stage of the 2014 Tour de France, is one of only six cyclists to have won all three of the sport's major races.
LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Image
An Astana mechanic cleans the chain of a bicycle before a training session on one of the two rest days of the 2009 Tour de France.
An Astana mechanic cleans the chain of a bicycle before a training session on one of the two rest days of the 2009 Tour de France.
Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images/file
Astana's general manager Alexandre Vinokourov won a gold medal for Kazakhstan at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He tested positive for banned substances in 2007 and nearly quit cycling for good.
Astana's general manager Alexandre Vinokourov won a gold medal for Kazakhstan at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He tested positive for banned substances in 2007 and nearly quit cycling for good.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong made his 2009 comeback with Kazakhstan's Astana Pro Team. He stayed just one season -- finishing third at the Tour de France in a result later annulled due to his doping -- before joining Team Radioshack.
Shamed cyclist Lance Armstrong made his 2009 comeback with Kazakhstan's Astana Pro Team. He stayed just one season -- finishing third at the Tour de France in a result later annulled due to his doping -- before joining Team Radioshack.
Bryn Lennon/Getty Image
As well as its Tour de France-winning team, the Kazakhstan capital's bulging, science fiction-like skyline has helped win the country international recognition. Pictured here is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (center) and the Shabyt Palace of Art (right).
As well as its Tour de France-winning team, the Kazakhstan capital's bulging, science fiction-like skyline has helped win the country international recognition. Pictured here is the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation (center) and the Shabyt Palace of Art (right).
AFP/Getty Images
Baiterek, Astana's "Tree of Life" -- a 100-meter-tall tower -- has drawn comparisons to a giant lollipop.
Baiterek, Astana's "Tree of Life" -- a 100-meter-tall tower -- has drawn comparisons to a giant lollipop.
AFP/Getty Images
An aerial view of the city of Astana, taken on July 28, 2011. It was known as Akmola until 1998, renamed Tselinograd under Soviet rule from 1961-1992, and before that was called Akmolinsk.
An aerial view of the city of Astana, taken on July 28, 2011. It was known as Akmola until 1998, renamed Tselinograd under Soviet rule from 1961-1992, and before that was called Akmolinsk.
AFP/Getty Images
In December 1997, Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev moved the capital from Almaty in the southeast of the country to Akmola. The city's Central Concert Hall is pictured.
In December 1997, Kazakhstan's president Nursultan Nazarbayev moved the capital from Almaty in the southeast of the country to Akmola. The city's Central Concert Hall is pictured.
AFP/Getty Images
The presidential palace was designed to resemble the White House in Washington D.C.
The presidential palace was designed to resemble the White House in Washington D.C.
Getty Images
The Shabyt Palace of Art is the most remarkable part of the Kazakh National University of Arts.
The Shabyt Palace of Art is the most remarkable part of the Kazakh National University of Arts.
AFP/Getty Images
Inside the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
Inside the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation.
Courtesy Foster + Partners
Much of Astana's modern architecture is striking in its scale and design, especially in contrast to the vast, open steppes that surround it.
Much of Astana's modern architecture is striking in its scale and design, especially in contrast to the vast, open steppes that surround it.
AFP/Getty Images
Staff carry the 2022 Winter Olympic bid files of Almaty, Kazakhstan on January 6, 2015 at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC will make a final decision in July 2015. Kazakhstan is also planning to bid for football's 2026 World Cup.
Staff carry the 2022 Winter Olympic bid files of Almaty, Kazakhstan on January 6, 2015 at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. The IOC will make a final decision in July 2015. Kazakhstan is also planning to bid for football's 2026 World Cup.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Image
Astana shakes off doping scandal ahead of Tour de France
CNN  — 

Vincenzo Nibali is counting the cost of benefiting from the power of four wheels – albeit briefly – after he was thrown out of one of cycling’s major races.

The Italian cyclist was disqualified from La Vuelta a España – the Tour of Spain – after he was filmed holding on to his Astana Pro Team (APT) team car for 200 meters on stage two after suffering a crash.

“The Commissioners have announced their decision after seeing Eurosport video footage showing Nibali hanging on to his team car,” said a Vuelta a España statement.

“The Commissioners have decided to disqualify the Italian rider and his team director, Alexander Sheffer, who was driving the Astana car.”

The 30-year-old Nibali, who issued an apology on his Facebook page to “anyone who is angry or ashamed of me,” is one of only six men to have won all three Grand Tours – the 2010 Tour of Spain, the 2013 Giro d’Italia and the 2014 Tour de France.

APT has been affected by its fair share of doping scandals.

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The team’s general manager Alexandre Vinokourov, now 41, tested positive for blood doping at the 2007 Tour de France, leading to a brief early retirement spell.

Last year, five riders from APT’s first team and its developmental squad tested positive for banned substances, resulting in an International Cycling Union review of the team’s license.