thehog
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thehog said:Astana to loose its ProTour license. Announcement later today or on Thursday.
Beech Mtn said:And if this happens, doesn't that mean Contador will finally be free to break his contract and go to another team? It would be awesome if that were to happen just in time for the TdF route presentation with Lance. Would love to see AC announce his new team for the first time right in front of LA - especially since LA is so well-known for his poker face.
thehog said:Astana to loose its ProTour license. Announcement later today or on Thursday.
thehog said:Yes he will be free. The new doping saga will also ensure no Tour invite.
Which helps explain why Lutsenko suddenly can climb i guess.pastronef said:@inrng
Astana team under threat of closure, hasn't received funding for 2018 says Vinokourov, "situation is critical", h/t @Biarnes72 http://vesti.kz/astana/247196
It explains why Aru quit Astana to sign a three-year contract with UAE Team Emirates, he saw it coming...fauniera said:Which helps explain why Lutsenko suddenly can climb i guess.pastronef said:@inrng
Astana team under threat of closure, hasn't received funding for 2018 says Vinokourov, "situation is critical", h/t @Biarnes72 http://vesti.kz/astana/247196
Broccolidwarf said:Am I missing something? - Isn't Astana Group a state-owned company - and the cycling team the states premier marketing vehicle?
Why woulds they suddenly default on payments, with no prior warning?
Also right now, team managers all over Europe, are frantically calling sponsors to get extra budget, if Lopez, Fuglsang, Sanchez, Lutsenko, Cort, etc. suddenly become available
Sanchez? Really? I know he's friends with some of them, but if they haven't got the budget spare to pay him already they'll be overpaying him. He's 34 and not winning that muchKoronin said:I could easily see Movistar Team going to Telefonica (Movistar's parent company) asking for more money or even their smaller sponsors to try and get Sanchez back.
I agree there will teams everywhere that have open spots begging sponsors for more money to try to get at least one of several of the Astana riders. I can definitely see Trek going after either Lopez or Fuglsang.
Parker said:Sanchez? Really? I know he's friends with some of them, but if they haven't got the budget spare to pay him already they'll be overpaying him. He's 34 and not winning that muchKoronin said:I could easily see Movistar Team going to Telefonica (Movistar's parent company) asking for more money or even their smaller sponsors to try and get Sanchez back.
I agree there will teams everywhere that have open spots begging sponsors for more money to try to get at least one of several of the Astana riders. I can definitely see Trek going after either Lopez or Fuglsang.
Lopez would be the big prize. Who can get the money together?
I doubt the team will fold though.
Broccolidwarf said:Am I missing something? - Isn't Astana Group a state-owned company - and the cycling team the states premier marketing vehicle?
Why woulds they suddenly default on payments, with no prior warning?
Also right now, team managers all over Europe, are frantically calling sponsors to get extra budget, if Lopez, Fuglsang, Sanchez, Lutsenko, Cort, etc. suddenly become available
Salvarani said:What happens if the team folds right in the middle of the season? Can that happen?
Like what happens with riders... they would be free to sign for any team?
That would be pretty crazy.
Broccolidwarf said:Salvarani said:What happens if the team folds right in the middle of the season? Can that happen?
Like what happens with riders... they would be free to sign for any team?
That would be pretty crazy.
That is exactly what would happen, they would all be free to sign with someone else, with immediate effect.
Now on CN http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astanas-situation-is-critical-says-vinokourov/pastronef said:http://www.twitter.com/Fredagsvik
Astana confirming riders have been paid each month until now, but that it has been effecting the teams savings. Support from their main sponsor, the state of Kazakhstan, is currently off.
movingtarget said:If BMC and Astana are gone by the end of the year that leaves a pretty big hole not to mention many good riders scrambling for a roster spot. Richie Porte may have been smart to give BMC until the end of May to find a new sponsor re his current contract otherwise he is looking elsewhere. Vaughters team also looked to be folding until a late sponsor pick up. Seems like pro cycling has some thinking and reorganizing to do when three of their long term teams are or were on the precipice. Astana being state sponsored brings it's own set of problems.