anubisza said:
Unlikely. Given his ego, I'd bet on him wanting to create his own team, and be able to chose his own riders. I'm sure there are plenty on Astana he wouldn't want on the Livestrong/Mellow Johnny's/Lance Is Great PRO team.
Which is exactly why we are being put through this soap opera.
Lance has only ever ridden as the self-appointed team leader. Even as an unknown youngster at Motorola, he adopted this attitude.
There is only one guy who will save Astana, and it ain't Lance, it's Vino.
Mellow Johnny's is NOT an option for the Tour.
License legal battles, new rider contracts and 9 million to pay back the money that would then be owed to the Kazakh's.
Best thing to do is tell Pat McQuaid to stop making up the rules as he goes along and let Astana continue in it's current form.
Funnily enough, Vino has just spoken.
Vino has spoken (Google Translation makes everything as clear as mud!)
And what do I do?
Enough to frighten Europe crazy money. Managers «Astana» should significantly cut back the budget instead of the club and world celebrities to recruit more to the team of Kazakh youth. And at first to solve local problems: do not fight for victory in the Tour, as, for example, T-shirts for the King of the mountain, or a better sprinter.
Something tells me he's had enough of JB and his signings........