The embattled Astana cycling team announced the signing of Spanish climber David De La Fuente and Italian domestique Paolo Tiralongo recently, adding two nice support riders to the team of defending Tour de France champion Alberto Contador. The only question regarding the signing though is why any rider would choose to ride for the Kazahk outfit. Now that Johan Bruyneel and most of the key riders from 2009 are no longer associated with the team, why any rider would willfully go to Astana for 2010 is a mystery to EP.
Even before Johan Bruyneel left the team, Astana seemed like a tough team to ride for. They had money problems throughout much of the early season, and even now they are having issues in securing a Pro Tour title for next season. De La Fuente, and any other rider that chooses to sign with Astana, are risking not only their salaries, but also being able to start the biggest races on the cycling calendar in 2010.
Then there is the walking calamity that is Alexander Vinokorouv. Vinokorouv, a proven cheat and bald-faced liar, returns to Astana as one of it's leaders. How any rider with even a shred of integrity would be willing to align themselves with Vinokorouv is a mystery. First he stone walled Bruyneel into leaving the team, and now Vino returns, unapologetic to the sport, is enough to turn any cycling purist's stomach.
Finally, the new management for Astana in 2010 is dubious at best. The new director sportif of the team will be Giuseppe Martinelli, who was also the director of one of the most troubled . . . and doped riders in the history of cycling, Marco Pantani. Martinelli is no doubt a veteran cycling mind, but the baggage he brings along won't help Astana to look like a clean team. Also joining the team for 2010 as a coach is Yvon Sanquer, formerly of Festina. Festina too is remembered as one of the dirtiest teams in cycling, and were at the center of the 1998 Tour de France scandal.
The Astana cycling team will be around again in 2010, and even without a Pro Tour licence they will attempt to make an impression on the world cycling stage. But as they add shady managers and riders they risk becoming an even bigger target of the UCI and irate cycling fans. Teams like Astana are examples of what cycling doesn't need. Hopefully they'll be denied a Pro Tour licence, which will help speed their exit from the sport. On the other hand, if they are granted Pro Tour status, the cycling world will have to endure their presence for at least the next two seasons.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
David De La Fuente, Paolo Tiralongo Sign with Astana, But Why?
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2 comments:
The point you make about riders lacking integrity by aligning themselves with proven unrepentive dopers is a valid one.
I would imagine one of the reasons why riders do align themselves with 'tainted' riders is the same reason the likes of De La Fuente sign for Astana - it isn't easy to get a contract with a pro team and with the global recession still impacting all areas of business, it is even tougher than it was before to sign for a pro team. 'Beggars can't be choosers', as the saying goes.
There are many riders who turn a blind eye to the past cheating of their team mates. We can include all Liquigas, OUCH Pro Cycling and Rock Racing riders to start with since all include riders (specifically denialists) with similar pasts to that of Vino.
It's a paycheck and that's not an easy thing to come by these days. It's not the riders jobs to police their employers or teammates that's for the authorities and the UCI.
Maybe they figure they could do worse then ride in support of the likely Tour winner. They may also think that there will be more opportunities for them in a team so desperate for supporting talent. I wish them well. But I hope Astana loses their license and that these guys have an out if that happens. If I were Contador I'd be making arrangements for any support riders I needed.
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