Vinokourov set for lead role at Tour de Langkawi

Kazakh rider Alexandre Vinokourov will be leading his Astana team at the 2012 Tour de Langkawi, a press release from the race organisers confirmed on Wednesday. The controversial 38-year-old has announced his intention to retire after the 2012 season and it is fitting that in his last year of racing he will be returning to the scene of his debut in 1997. Next year's race, a UCI 2.HC event, will take place in Malaysia from February 24 to March 4.