Over seven and a half years on from the 2010 Liège-Bastogne-Liège, allegations about the nature of Alexandre Vinokourov’s victory in that race finally appear set to go under legal scrutiny. He and Russian rider Alexander Kolobnev are accused of fixing the result of the prestigious Classic, with Vinokourov accused of having promised his breakaway partner 150,000 euros if he would let him win the race.

Vinokourov dropped Kolobnev close to the finish of the race and crossed the line alone, this making a very successful comeback from a doping ban. Allegations about the nature of that win emerged in 2011 in a report by the magazine L’Illustre. Vinokourov swiftly denied the claims, but the Swiss publication then released emails which appeared to back up the allegations.

Bank transfers were made to Kolobnev of 100,000 euros and 50,000 euros, in July and December 2010.

According to La Meuse, they will have to appear before the Liège correctional tribunal on March 13 of next year.

Both riders have retired from the sport. Vinokourov won the Olympic road race in 2012 and is now the general manager of the Astana WorldTour team.