Cycling-Vinokourov steps down as Astana team manager before Tour de France

FILE PHOTO: Astana Pro Team manager Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan looks on before the team training session in Utrecht, Netherlands, July 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini/File Photo

BREST, France (Reuters) - Alexandre Vinokourov is stepping down as general manager of the Astana Premier Tech cycling team he helped to create in 2006, the Kazakh outfit said on Thursday.

"We can confirm that Alexandre Vinokourov will not be present at the Tour de France this year as he will step down as Sports Team Principal," Premier Tech managing director Yana Seel said in a statement two days before the start of the Tour de France.