The 31-year-old is currently ninth in this year's race, but his team is built around getting 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich on to the podium in Paris.

"Alexander wants the chance to try and win the Tour as a team captain," said T-Mobile team manager Olaf Ludwig.

"We regret this decision, but we can fully comprehend his motives."

Vinokourov had previously been linked with a move to Discovery Channel who are looking for a replacement for the Tour leader and six-time winner Lance Armstrong, who is set to retire at the end of this year's race.

But Discovery team manager Johan Bruyneel has recently questioned Vinokourov's ability to land the sport's major title.

"He's definitely one of the most talented and intelligent riders of the peloton," Bruyneel said. "But I don't think he'll ever be capable of winning the Tour de France."

He has now been heavily tiiped to join Credit Agricole, for whom his good friend and compatriot Andrey Kashechkin already races.

French outfit Ag2R-Prevoyance, who are managed by Vinokourov's former boss Vincent Lavenu, have also expressed an interest.

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