Contador, Should I stay or should I go?
November 27, 2024
Login
Home
News
Ride Maps
Blogs
Forums
Gear
Resource
VeloTV
Photos
Current Articles
|
Archives
|
RSS Feeds
|
Search
Monday, September 7, 2009
Contador, Should I stay or should I go?
by Nick Mulder at 10:16 AM EST
comments
Categories:
Pro Cycling
Even after the departure of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, Alberto Contador continues to consider leaving the Astana team despite his contract for two more seasons. “I might ride for a Belgian team. In two weeks I will know more,” he commented after his win in the Bavikhove Criterium.
The Spaniard has received four offers but remains uncertain, “I don’t know where I will ride in 2010. I have my doubts about Astana. For 2010 I want a change, but Astana remains an option. I have spoken with the team.”
Contador looks ready to part ways with Astana despite a healthy four-year 16 million euro contract extension. Although he has a contract until 2011, the 2009 Tour de France champion has offers from Garmin-Slipstream, Caisse d'Epargne and Quick-Step.
Garmin seems the least likely destination considering they already have Christian Vande Velde and Bradley Wiggins to lead their grand tour teams. Spain’s Caisse d'Epargne would be a better fit despite having Alejandro Valverde and recently signing Italian classification rider Marzio Bruseghin for 2010. Patrick Lefevre’s Quickstep is still in need of a grand tour leader after two years of disappointing results in the overall in the three grand tours. Lefevre did however say that before signing the Spaniard they would have to seek additional sponsorship to cover his high salary.
Contador responded to questions over the tension with Armstrong during the Tour, “It would have been easier without Armstrong on the team. I didn’t receive any help from him.”
While Contador’s future is unknown, Armstrong will be relying on a strong Team RadioShack, with American Levi Leipheimer, and super-domestiques Jose Luis Rubiera and Sergio Paulinho, all three riders plucked by Johan Bruyneel from Astana’s Tour team.
comments
Follow @Pro_Cycling
Tweet
Subscribe via RSS or daily email
Contact the editor about this article
WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW
RECENT
READ
Darach McQuaid acknowledges June deadline for plans to restart Tour of Ireland in 2015
Third climbing stage to feature on Presidential Tour of Turkey route, GC battle will be more intense
Philip Lavery interview: Walking away from the sport, then getting a second chance
Stetina wants rethink on dossards: ‘Cycling is still an amateur sport in so many ways’
Walker undergoes heart operation, retires; Philip Lavery to take his place on Synergy Baku team
McQuaid ends his part in legal action against Kimmage, Verbruggen persists
Planned new finale to Milan Sanremo in doubt after La Pompeiana climb and descent deemed too dangerous
Degenkolb beats Hushovd in bunch sprint to make it three from three in the Tour of the Mediterranean
Froome set to begin season in Tour of Oman, gunning for strong overall result
Past winner Gesink feeling on course for strong result in Tour of Oman
Wiggins admits pressure got to him in 2013, speaks about difficulty of being defending Tour champion
Démare swoops to victory on concluding stage of Tour of Qatar, Terpstra takes overall
Degenkolb notches up first win of his 2014 season on stage one of Tour of the Mediterranean
NetApp Endura still perfecting sprint train for Bennett
Greipel fastest in battle for Tour of Qatar’s fifth stage
No articles match criteria.
Terms and Conditions
|
Privacy Policy
Copyright 2008-2013 by VeloNation LLC
About
Advertising
Mission
Contact
Jobs
Content
Pro Cycling News
General Cycling Articles
Training and Health
Gear Reviews
Community
Directory
Blogs
Photos
Forums
Groups
VeloTV