Vino slams Jaksche claims

Jaksche, who was a team-mate of Vinokourov's at Astana-Würth before the Operacion Puerto scandal broke, alleged that Astana boss Walter Godefroot tolerated doping during his time at the Telekom team, though the Kazakh rider has given short shrift to the declarations.

"Jaksche was contacted by Der Spiegel and offered lots of money," he told AFP. "It's easy to give evidence when's there's a big cheque being dangled in front of you.

"If you're given €5 000 to dish the dirt on someone, you're not going to do it. But if its €100 000, you'll find a story to justify the amount."

Vinokourov has been the subject of much discussion since it was rumoured he is working with controversial Italian doctor Michele Ferrari, a partnership he confirmed, and defended staunchly.

"Michele Ferrari is a physical trainer but not my doctor," he told French daily l'Equipe.

"All I did was listen to people like Mario Cipollini who said great things. [Lance] Armstrong also worked with him. I didn't want to miss out on this experience, I contacted him.

"Working with Ferrari is not that extraordinary. Once a month I take a test to find out what kind of form I am in physically and my training depends on those results.

"His training plans are effective and precise. Since last year I've come on a lot in the mountains and also the time-trials. I won the Vuelta [a Espana] and that cemented my faith in him.

"Ferrari has never offered me any medication. He is just my physical trainer and if I'm talking as openly as this it's because I've nothing to hide."