Contador contract has ended, where will he sign next?

[Duartista]

But Valverde is close to the team management and has been there for years. I hardly think they'd dump him for Contador.

I think Saxo is still most likely. However, it depends on Riis finding a solution to the points problem, assuming WADA don't force the UCI to get rid of the rule.

 

[craig1985]

Saxo have already said they're staying in the sport.

 

[Fidolix]

Why are you making a thread that has no value?

He´s NOT leaving Saxo bank, he´s NOT suspended, he´s NOT fired, he´s STILL on contract with Riis, all this Riis confirmed yesterday evening on live national TV, the contract is STILL on, AND he wish to prolong the contract with AC!!!!

A danish press release about the matter:

"Bjarne Riis did not fire Alberto Contador, although the Spaniard has been given two-year suspension.

Bjarne Riis has decided not to fire Alberto Contador, though the Spaniard Monday received two-year suspension of the international sports court (CAS) due a microscopic amount of the banned substance clenbuterol in the body during the Tour de France in 2010."

 

[ElChingon]

OK killjoy.

We all knew he's stay at Saxo or that they'd let him back after the ban.

Still would be very cool if he ended up signing for another team. Picked RadioShack only to make the team even more GC leader heavy and to hopefully make Andy cry after he loses every race to Contador who's on his same team (after Beto serves his time).

Still would be nice if he signed for a Conti team and then they were given a wildcard to race just because of Contador, like they used to do back in the day or before the World Tour BS.

 

[Maxiton]

Why are you making a thread that has no value?

He´s NOT leaving Saxo bank, he´s NOT suspended, he´s NOT fired, he´s STILL on contract with Riis, all this Riis confirmed yesterday evening on live national TV, the contract is STILL on, AND he wish to prolong the contract with AC!!!!

A danish press release about the matter:

"Bjarne Riis did not fire Alberto Contador, although the Spaniard has been given two-year suspension.

Bjarne Riis has decided not to fire Alberto Contador, though the Spaniard Monday received two-year suspension of the international sports court (CAS) due a microscopic amount of the banned substance clenbuterol in the body during the Tour de France in 2010."

Updated: Contract between Contador and Saxo Bank over

 

[Fidolix]

Updated: Contract between Contador and Saxo Bank over

loool yes I saw that already yesterday max.

I think I go with the live interview late last night instead, broadcasted several hours later than that article was written. You know, hearing it from the horse own mouth and all that.

 

[Fidolix]

OK killjoy.

We all knew he's stay at Saxo or that they'd let him back after the ban.

Still would be very cool if he ended up signing for another team. Picked RadioShack only to make the team even more GC leader heavy and to hopefully make Andy cry after he loses every race to Contador who's on his same team (after Beto serves his time).

Still would be nice if he signed for a Conti team and then they were given a wildcard to race just because of Contador, like they used to do back in the day or before the World Tour BS.

Yeah playing with numbers can be fun.
However I hope he stays with Saxo, but I think UCI will put a stop to that plan for Riis, or atleast try to.

I´m pretty sure Riis will come up with a solution to gain enough points for next years protour licens, but it´s a question if AC wanna take that chance.

 

[Epicycle]

I wouldn't be surprised if he signed with Katusha.

 

[issoisso]

easy... saxo bank.if he goes to movistar,valverde will leave the team.

Valverde has already said multiple times that he'd love Contador at Movistar and would have no problem working for him at the Tour

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Valverde has already said multiple times that he'd love Contador at Movistar and would have no problem working for him at the Tour

But wouldn't both money and UCI points become an issue in that case?

 

[jens_attacks]

Valverde has already said multiple times that he'd love Contador at Movistar and would have no problem working for him at the Tour

i know but i still can't see that taking place in reality.who knows?

 

[ferryman]

Valverde has already said multiple times that he'd love Contador at Movistar and would have no problem working for him at the Tour

He will be back at Saxo but the thought of Valverde and Bertie on the same team is rather exciting

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

No I heard it to, I´m just refering to a later interview with Riis on national TV where he stated that AC was still on contract, but I guess he forgot to clear that with AC first, it seems AC might not be interested in renewing the contract afterall.

Heres the latetest news release.

Alberto Contador and Team Saxo Bank as a technicality terminated the contract because the Spaniard can no longer fulfill his contract because he has been quarantined.

Team Saxo Bank's press chief Anders Damgaard told sporten.tv2.dk that both parties intend to resume cooperation, but the Spaniard himself was not so clear in speech to Tuesday's news conference.

"When I return, my first priority to Saxo Bank, but we'll see. For now I'm free," said Alberto Contador at the press conference, according to the Spanish media AS.

Riis will continue for many years
Alberto Contador may again stand for the bike race on 6 August, and Bjarne Riis hope it happens for his team.

"Me and Alberto must sit down and talk about things. I want him to come back to the team. He is a professional and amazing person I would like to continue working with him for many years," said Bjarne Riis.

My bad, sorry!

I guess that means he'll leave the team.

 

[El Pistolero]

Without the rule of points not counting for 2 extra years I'd say Saxo, but now I'm going for either Movistar or Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

 

[Eyeballs Out]

He's a free agent, most likely with monster legal bills and fines to pay.

He'll go to the highest bidder.

 

[maxmartin]

any team has Contador will have automatic invitation to GT, so I think Saxo will be fine with or without WT license

 

[LaFlorecita]

any team has Contador will have automatic invitation to GT, so I think Saxo will be fine with or without WT license

Giro: Only if he rides
Tour: Big chance that won't happen, especially if he rides
Vuelta: Probably & a certainty if he rides.

 

[Angliru]

Without the rule of points not counting for 2 extra years I'd say Saxo, but now I'm going for either Movistar or Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

In your dreams!!!!

 

[jens_attacks]

+1 on omega.now that team would be scary as hell.

 

[The Plediadian]

Albertos best returns have been with Astana, and he and Vino share a special relationship, thusly Astana.

 

[jens_attacks]

Albertos best returns have been with Astana, and he and Vino share a special relationship, thusly Astana.

vino is cool with him but i doubt alberto will ever go again to astana.they really didn't support him at all with this problem.martinelli also said he can't control such a big phenomenon,alberto is above his capabilities.it won't happen.

the image of a peter velits,tony martin and levi shredding into pieces the peloton before alberto attacks suddenly comes to mind

 

[The Cobra]

I think its likely he'll go back to Saxo. All his Spanish crew is there and Saxo need a leader. I imagine Riis will negotiate a significant decrease on his previous salary though at least until his points are worth something again. Riis can then go in the market to buy the necessary World tour points.

 

[airstream]

I'd prefer Movistar. It would integrate spanish cycling on a cosmic level within the same team. Radioshack vs newlymade Movistar clash would be epic in the TdF

 

[scullster46]

In your dreams!!!!

A few others including el pistolero have mentioned this before, but its actually a lot more likely than people think. It all comes down to the specialized contract. If they stay behind him, then he only has 3 choices; Astana, Saxo, and OPQS. Since it is unclear if Saxo has the money, that leaves Astana and OPQS. It seems like Contador, if he had his way, would stay at Saxo. I feel like he gets along really well with Riis, which is more important to him than having a supersquad given his past experiences.

My dream scenario however, is for Conti to return home to spain. I'm not talking about Movistar either. He needs to reunite the spanish inquisition with Samu at Euskaltel. Ya, I know its not very logical, and it won't happen. But a man can dream, right?

 

[El Pistolero]

In your dreams!!!!

I don't really mind what team he goes to as long as their jerseys ain't ugly and if he has decent support.

Valverde working for Contador now that would be a sight to behold.