Vinokourov says he proves himself with Stage 13 victory

Say what you will about one-time suspended Alexandre Vinokourov, but the Kazakh cyclist makes things happen.

The Astana cyclist showed his fighting spirit for the second day in a row at the Tour de France on Saturday when he attacked the peloton on a climb near the finish.

Unlike Friday, when he was basically chased down by team leader Alberto Contador and finished 3rd overall, Vino extended his lead over the last 5 miles of the race on Saturday and won Stage 13 in Revel by 13 seconds.

Andy Schleck's overall lead of 31 seconds ahead of Contador remains unchanged.

Vinokourov headed the Astana team back in 2007 and was wearing the yellow jersey after winning stages 13 and 15 when doping control came back with a positive test. They nailed Vino for blood doping and booted the entire team from the Tour.

Vino received a light one-year suspension, but retired from cycling altogether. Then he returned to the sport in August 2009 with his old team, Astana.

Is Vinokourov riding clean?

“Yes. It’s like I said after the win in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, ‘Vino is coming back. This is the new Vino’. With my victory there, I asked why I always must prove my reform. This is the new Vino and I think everybody understands that now. I must win my popularity in France and I think this victory in the Tour helps… but I don’t want to talk anymore about 2007. … I rode well in the breakaway and was great today and I’m happy.”

CyclingNews said Vinokourov refered to Friday's race with the term “disappointment.” When Contador greeted him after the race on Saturday, he smiled and gave him a high-five.

Sunday's Stage 14 is expected to be a decisive one for anyone wishing to win or finish well in the Tour de France. The 114-mile bike race from Revel to Ax-3 Domaines features the beyond-category Port de Pailheres climb and a mountain top finish.

Top 10 overall

1. Andy Schleck, Saxo Bank

2. Alberto Contador, Astana – 31 seconds

3. Sammy Sanchez, Euskaltel Euskadi – 2:45

4. Denis Menchov, Rabobank – 2:58

5. Jurgen Van Den Broek, Omega – 3:31

6. Levi Leipheimer, RadioShack – 4:06

7. Robert Gesink, Rabobank – 4:27

8. Joaquin Rodriguez, Katusha – 4:58

9. Luis Leon Sanchez, Caisse d'Epargne – 5:02

10. Roman Kreuziger, Liquigas – 5:16

Green jersey — Thor Hushovd, Cervelo

 Mountains jersey – Anthony Charteau, Bbox

Young rider – Andy Schleck, Saxo Bank

Team competition – RadioShack