Astana to merge with SaxoBank?

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Team Astana is in discussion to merge the two teams. Astana's financial director wants to merge with either Saxo or Liquigas.

Where does this leave Vino? He was supposed to retire and run the team next year.

 

[Midnightfright]

I imagine there would be role for him. Not head ds probably but still plenty of races to take charge of, world tour teams often have two sets of riders going simultaneously almost separate so there would be plenty of work and could even be a more relaxed way to learn the job. I'm looking forward to seeing just how aggressive him team would be.

 

[Opalius]

Link? (ten characters)

 

[Cimber]

do u have a link?

 

[thirteen]

do u have a link?

a nibble in french: http://www.lequipe.fr/Cyclisme/breves2011/20110617_090950_astana-a-l-offensive.html

 

[just some guy]

Team Astana is in discussion to merge the two teams. Astana's financial director wants to merge with either Saxo or Liquigas.

Where does this leave Vino? He was supposed to retire and run the team next year.

Can´t see Liquigas-Cannondale moving to Astana might happen I guess, Roman will need a new team

Saxo I can see teaming up with Astana - Riis needs a sponsor Astana need not really sure what they get from the deal Contador back, winning GT I guess. They both ride Specialized maybe it will be called Astana-Specialized ?

If they combine there will be a protour contract up for grabs . French or Australian winner ?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Team Saxtana it is.

 

[dlwssonic]

krezuiger and contador that would be pretty good for the tour. Plus vino as ds even better!

 

[Thomsena]

Astana and Riis to merge

Google translate:

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=da&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=da&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sporten.dk%2Fcykling%2Fastana-har-tilbudt-riis-at-fusionere

A desperate ASTANA-team?.. Can't imagine Riis to bother about this - even if it turns out to be more than a rumour.

 

[hfer07]

Google translate:

http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=da&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=da&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sporten.dk%2Fcykling%2Fastana-har-tilbudt-riis-at-fusionere

A desperate ASTANA-team?.. Can't imagine Riis to bother about this - even if it turns out to be more than a rumour.

Agreed-maybe Riis is eager to get the financial backing- but I cannot see him & specially Alberto dealing with Vino & the Kazakhs after what went on the last two years though....

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

It will be a great deal for Riis if he can get financial stability for several years. The sport is very messed up when a team as good as Riis' has continual problems finding sponsors.

The Contador situation will not be finished until well past the time when a main sponsor should be secured, so going with Astana may be Riis' only option.

 

[Oldman]

Agreed-maybe Riis is eager to get the financial backing- but I cannot see him & specially Alberto dealing with Vino & the Kazakhs after what went on the last two years though....

It could lower their legal bills if they get an attorney on retainer. Tap the ongoing Astana budget and, violla'; lower defense rates via Contador. Otherwise it's a really stupid idea.

 

[HL2037]

Feltet.dk has asked Saxobank press officer Anders Damsgaard, but he won't comment, says it's their principle not to comment on rumours during sponsor negotiations:

http://www.sporten.dk/cykling/astana-har-tilbudt-riis-at-fusionere

(An even more increadible rumour in the above article: Astana has offered Liquigas a favorable deal on Kazach oil and gas if they can buy Nibali in return...)

 

[El Pistolero]

Let's face it, Kazachstan is the new Soviet Union, on a smaller scale though

 

[just some guy]

and here might be the reason - Astana Vino to take over management right - well not now - http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-forbids-convicted-dopers-from-future-team-management-positions

he Committee "approved the introduction of a new article in the regulations (1.1.006.2) aiming to prevent anyone found guilty of infringing the Anti-Doping Regulation during his cycling career from obtaining a licence authorising him to take on a role in cycling as a member of a team’s staff," according to the UCI's press release.

"This measure – which will most certainly be very important in the medium term to guarantee an increasingly healthy movement for future generations – will come into effect on July 1st; it will not be applied retrospectively.

I might be wrong reading it again - but july 1st if caught after this time no management or if you have been caught you can´t get a management job - clear as mud to me.

 

[Cimber]

I dont see this happening. Riis is not a guy to share power like that. Also I see a culture clash between the two organisations.