Feeling grand: Alexandre Vinokourov enjoyed a little media attention ahead of this Grand Tour return.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Guess who's back: Alexandre Vinokourov has had a special saddle printed up for his first Grand Tour since being thrown out of the 2007 Tour de France.(Image credit: Bert Geerts/dcp-bertgeerts@xs4all.nl)
Team Astana's Assan Bazayev and Alexander Vinokourov.(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) started as his team's final rider.(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) concentrates before the start.(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) gets ready to start.(Image credit: Isabelle Duchesne)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) at the start of Vuelta a España stage two in Assen.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Vinokourov and his teammates ready for the prologue.(Image credit: Elmar Krings)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) in his first Grand Tour since 2007.(Image credit: Elmar Krings)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) before the start of Vuelta a España stage three.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alexandre Vinokourov finishes a hot day in the saddle in Vinaros, Spain.(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) started well, but faded to 15ht.(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) was fast at the first check.(Image credit: Lavuelta.com)
Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) makes his way up the Alto de Xorret del Cati(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) was a man on a mission today(Image credit: Sirotti)
Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Slipstream) leads Simon Gerrans (Cervélo TestTeam), Alexandre Vinokourov (Astana) and Jakob Fuglsang (Saxo Bank)(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) takes a turn at the front of the breakaway(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alexandre Vinokourov's involvement with this year's Vuelta a España was one of the hottest topics in the lead up to the race. Bold pre-Tour de France statements gave the impression of a triumphant return to the helm of Astana. Instead, the Kazakh was tied up in negotiations until days before the Vuelta's start.
He played down expectations of a high overall finish before the race, but Vinokourov looked in good shape as he rolled down the start ramp in Assen. Time will tell whether Vinokourov can return to the top of the Vuelta podium. This image gallery will capture the key moments throughout his race.
Click here for an image gallery of Alexandre Vinokourov's Vuelta a España.
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