Astana vow to fight back after Tour exclusion

Astana's riders are in a state of shock but ready to fight after being kicked out of the 2008 Tour de France, American Levi Leipheimer said yesterday.

"I am in shock and very disappointed," said Leipheimer, third in last year's Tour.

Already left out of the Giro d'Italia, Astana will not be invited to any events organised by Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) this year including the Tour. The team, whose reputation has been tarnished by several doping scandals, could not be trusted, said Tour director Christian Prudhomme.

"We are all left wondering," Leipheimer said in a statement released by Astana. "I stand by my decision to be part of the new Astana team for 2008. In a supportive manner the entire team will fight back."

International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid, who said last week there was no reason for organisers not to include Astana in the Tour, said he could not understand the decision not to invite them.