contador leaving astana

[jules21]

so the headline says. someone will be a happy director sportif.

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will leave Astana at the end of this season after the Spanish cyclist rejected the team's offer to extend his contract.

Contador said on Wednesday he will study his options before deciding which team to ride for next season.

"Alberto Contador has rejected the Astana team's ultimatum, which had asked for an answer on its renewal offer on the upcoming seasons by Tuesday," Contador said in a statement.

[Aushiker]

Hi

Similar information in the BikeRadar.com posting here. The article states the following ...

According to a report on Cyclingnews.com, Contador may join Bjarne Riis's team, which will be sponsored by Sunguard and Specialized. Riis is looking for a replacement for the Schleck brothers, who will depart his squad at the end of the year.

Andrew

[toolonglegs]

That explains Bjarne's very quiet response to Contador's attack.

[HAKS]

Wonder if Vino had anything to do with it i.e. Astana is my team and will ride for me in 2011.

[MichaelB]

Who cares ?

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Specialized founder and chairman Mike Sinyard convinced Contador to team-up with Riis during the final days of the Tour de France. As part of the deal, Spanish riders Benjamin Noval, Daniel Navarro, David De La Fuente and Jesus Hernandez expected to join Contador at Riis' team

Be interesting to see who else ends up leaving Saxo if the above (from cycling news story) is true.

[shiv]

Contador will be hoping Cancellara hangs around then since next year has a team time trial for stage 2 or 3. If saxo hang onto a select few, stewie, jens, sonrenson brothers, contador will be almost unstoppable

[Robdog]

If saxo hang onto a select few [like] jens

Can't leave Fwankie behind, he's his best mate in the whole world!

[hannos]

So now I have to dislike Saxo as well as Astana...

[Zynster]

Damn. Saxobank was fast becoming my favourite team too.

[igstar]

Wonder if Vino had anything to do with it i.e. Astana is my team and will ride for me in 2011.

I thought I heard that Vino is retiring but will still have a supportive role with the team...

[im_no_pro]

Damn. Saxobank was fast becoming my favourite team too.

Same here

[cpical]

Very knowledgeable pharmacists!!!!

[toolonglegs]

Just make Team Luxembourg your new fav .

[hannos]

Poor Richie, having to ride for AC...

[toolonglegs]

Poor Richie, having to ride for AC...

Yeah..that prize money that is all given to the team by the winner must be really hard to stomach .

[bella26]

Am I the only one on the forums who actually likes Contador?? Yeah his pistolero salute is a bit wan$y but the guy has some talent to burn.

[MichaelB]

Am I the only one on the forums who actually likes Contador?? Yeah his pistolero salute is a bit wan$y but the guy has some talent to burn.

Seems that way. To me he is like Schuey, talented, but a dick. For me, it's his Pistolero salture that really grinds me. Oh, and that dorky listhp ....

[hannos]

Am I the only one on the forums who actually likes Contador?? Yeah his pistolero salute is a bit wan$y but the guy has some talent to burn.

Seems that way. To me he is like Schuey, talented, but a dick. For me, it's his Pistolero salture that really grinds me. Oh, and that dorky listhp ....

He may be talented but I agree with Michaelb. His pistolero salute is what grates me the most. Closely followed by my perception of his smug arrogance.

[Chuck]

Am I the only one on the forums who actually likes Contador?? Yeah his pistolero salute is a bit wan$y but the guy has some talent to burn.

No bella, I like him too. It seems some of the reasons for not liking him are somewhat...........spare

[roller]

Am I the only one on the forums who actually likes Contador??

nope!

[HAKS]

Am I the only one on the forums who actually likes Contador??

nope!

I'm actually growing to like him, so +1 for me.

[toolonglegs]

I like his talent...never know what a person is like till you meet them...don't really get off on the trademark thou I must say.

[daveywastaken]

im a fan of contador, the guy is a weapon! vino was a beast at this years TdF, would b interesting to see how he goes as the top dog, except hes a cheat, and mayb a year to old?

[JV911]

No bella, I like him too

+1

[limetang]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contado ... is-in-2011

Saxo Bank SunGard is a bit of a mouthful...... interesting to see Contador in that Jersey against Schleck now!