Initial reports from Alberto Contador's camp have the Spaniard staying with Astana for 2010. For one reason or another Contador has not bee able to get out of his Astana contract, and so he will ride another year for the Kazakh squad.
Contador believes that he will have a strong team to support him at the Tour de France and he has also stated that he has a good working relationship with the Kazakh Turkey, Alexander Vinokorouv. Contador has insisted that the team establish a strong anti-doping stance, and has asked for a clause that would allow him to leave Astana in the case of any rider on the team testing positive for doping.
Alberto Contador had a tough 2009 as a teammate to Lance Armstrong, and the Spaniard had expressed a strong desire to have a more tranquillo 2010. However, as a part of the Astana team, Contador is sure to see another year full of stress and distractions.
Hopefully Contador will have a solid team to support his bid at another Tour de France title in 2010. Hopefully Alexander Vinokorouv will fall in line and ride in support of Contador. And hopefully all of the new Astana signings will work toward delivering Contador his third Tour de France crown. But for now, all that Contador can have is hope, as there are no guarantees for the 2010 Astana team.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Astana Accomplishes Impossible, Retains Alberto Contador for 2010
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2 comments:
Thanks for the link...I like your blog. BTW...Saxo, RadioShack,Garmin,Liquigas, and Columbia, all have much deeper and well rounded teams than the present day Astana. Plus, each team has at least one legit GC contender. Throw in Evans with BMC and an up and coming Cervelo team, and you realize Contador has to win on his own.
I think Mongo is right: Contador might have to win on his own, or nearly so. I can't think of a team that has been so thoroughly gutted as has Astana -- which has happened while other teams got stronger. If Contador wins the TDF in 2010, it will be a marvelous feat. Despite his great talent, I think the odds are steeply against him.
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