Gusev to sue Astana, ride Olympics

Russian Vladimir Gusev announced Thursday that he intends to take legal action against the Astana Team which earlier this week fired him for 'irregular blood values'. The team, using the data collected by its anti-doping program manager Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard, said that Gusev's values "exceeded the normal parameters" and were "not compliant with the strict agreement signed by all the riders," but stopped short of saying that he had doped.

In a statement issued to tuttobiciweb.it, Gusev called the allegations "unfounded" and said he would challenge the legality of the team's actions. "This important and serious decision taken by the treasonous team against me is unexpected and not correct," he said. "Since I adhered enthusiastically to the anti-doping rules within the team to work for a new credible cycling, and know that I have never taken performance-enhancing drugs, I wonder what may be the suspect values referred to in the communiqué of the team Astana."

Gusev concluded by assuring his fans that he would compete with the Russian National Team in the Beijing Olympic Games in both the time trial and the road race.