Contador leaving Astana

[Moose McKnuckles]

Contador's reluctance to sign with Astana points all the more to a significant investment by Specialized in Riis' new team. I wonder if Contador is looking for a piece of the team, in addition to just being a salaried rider.

 

[dslacker]

interesting, who's gonna replace Conta in Astana as a GC man. or will they keep Vino as their main GC contender for TDF. but vino's staying in cycling for 1 more year only.

Somehow Radio Shack created a whole team from a rider who was coming back for just one more season. And look how great that turned out - gag ! But seriously, was Astana going to keep on paying the bills (large ones considering what Alberto stands to make) if the team became 80% Spanish ? I don't think Riis cares where the talent comes from - he'll turn them into winners. Yeah - Alberto is already a winner - but imagine a talented mostly Spanish team with Riis at the helm - its scary.

 

[dslacker]

So funny !

 

[hrotha]

Contador's reluctance to sign with Astana points all the more to a significant investment by Specialized in Riis' new team. I wonder if Contador is looking for a piece of the team, in addition to just being a salaried rider.

If he's been following the news, he'll stay away from any team ownership while he's still riding.

 

[Marva32]

It also led me to believe that Specialized would only supply one team next year. Some said it would be a Cervelo type of arrangement.

What type of arrangement does Cervelo have?

 

[Cerberus]

What type of arrangement does Cervelo have?

They're the name sponsor.

 

[jaylew]

Yes, he rode himself inside out on those transition stages between the Alps and Pyrenese, to get his own stage win.

Then when Schleck attaced on Tourmalet, Vino was there to make sure that if AC faltered he could pace him back to AS.

Yep, Vino did huge work for AC, or maybe not.

In my eyes, Vino did offer some help but was mostly out for himself to get a stage win this year. Vino was pi**ed when AC attacked on the Jalabert climb to take it from him and so he burned so many matches the following day to get it even if it meant that AC lost the Tour on subsequent stages.

I tend to agree with you. I think the work Vino did for AC has been overplayed and I think it's probably best for Contador to get out of there. I like watching him ride but Vino is always going to be a bit of a loose cannon and frankly, I think his primary focus for the Tour shifted to the maillot jaune only after he got his stage. If the Riis thing does go through, I certainly don't see it as good for the Schleck bros.

 

[ManInFull]

Damn. My wife has already purchased an Astana kit for my birthday.

 

[Dedelou]

What type of arrangement does Cervelo have?

trivia question: has there been ever a "top" pro team with the name of a rider as the main title?

 

[Dedelou]

I tend to agree with you. I think the work Vino did for AC has been overplayed and I think it's probably best for Contador to get out of there. I like watching him ride but Vino is always going to be a bit of a loose cannon and frankly, I think his primary focus for the Tour shifted to the maillot jaune only after he got his stage. If the Riis thing does go through, I certainly don't see it as good for the Schleck bros.

nothing will be too good for the schleklets unless you consider they should move their operation to a US team and become the next white hope to be tooted by the Versus gang.

 

[theswordsman]

I don't think regurgitating what other have been saying for a week counts as an exclusive*.

*Directed at Lesoir, not you.

I'm pretty sure she was the only one calling them Spangard I was going through Google News and I copied and pasted it before I even gave it a good look. I deleted the tweet two minutes later, but left it here. Cheers

 

[theswordsman]

What type of arrangement does Cervelo have?

Title sponsor, as others have said, but they're also the "Test Team" for equipment development, feedback, etc.

 

[Ryaguas]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

 

[Bicicleta]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

Isn't Pereiro retiring after the Vuelta?

 

[Ryo Hazuki]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

yes you are completely right I have the same feeling.

 

[ManInFull]

nothing will be too good for the schleklets unless you consider they should move their operation to a US team and become the next white hope to be tooted by the Versus gang.

You got that right. Every LanceFanboy I know is on AS' jock now.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

I agree. Something does seem a bit off.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

That's a very good point. I read that interview with Oscar too, and he said that Sanquer had called him and asked him to reconsider his retirement, and that then Alberto called him too and also asked him to stay. It sounded like AC's call took place shortly before the Tour started.

I agree with you, that something seems strange with the sudden change. I really don't think AC would have announced on the first rest day that he was most likely staying with Astana, if he didn't expect - at that time - to be staying with the team. He could easily have put off questions about next year by saying he would need to keep all his focus on the Tour, and refuse to talk about 2011 until after the TdF was over.

 

[red_flanders]

Well yeah, but consider the situation for the Tour he just finished with Astana then... no wonder. Since then they've surprised by looking like a strong and cohesive team, much less reason to leave now/more risk by doing so... no?

You may be assuming Contador ever wondered if he had a strong team. The strong team question is and was a media invention, probably largely based on Armstrong's parting shots, which most serious fans took for what they were–petty, petulant digs.

It's doubtful Contador ever thought he had anything but a strong team.

No question this probably hurts a bit for Astana and Vino, but all transfers do. If/when the contract details come out, much may be explained.

 

[Oldman]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

I'd guess that Astana was pressing for a commitment because their Plan B included a rider like Menchov (don't know if he's available-just an example)that would be expensive and snapped up fairly soon. Faced with a deadline Contador did just the opposite, which is smart business and sets the tone for future team negotiations. He just won his 3 Tour and should be able to weigh all offers and set his price for Astana. They didn't want to wait.

 

[Polish]

Alberto has been stringing Astana along all season for two reasons:

1) To get undying Team Support during the Tour.
2) To maximize his and fran's monetary paychecks.

Some forum members recognized this all season long. No big deal.
It is a business for most riders. Big Business for some riders.

Others felt he would stay with Astana lol.
Loyal Alberto. Thank you Team Alberto.
Tweet Tweet Bang Bang.

But after attacking Vino in one stage and attacking during "The Mechanical" in another stage - maybe Vino does not WANT Alberto on the team anymore.

It will be interesting to hear what Vino has to say about this....
"Alberto wants to spend more time with his family" maybe?

 

[nicholaaaas]

if his climbing domestiques who dominated go with him and Fabian stays... that's scarry

 

[Belokki]

always fancied Alberto in Caisse d'Epargne...

but that won't happen...

oh well, hope he doesnt go to Saxo though...

 

[avanti]

Ya know I've been thinking about the whole situation with Contador leaving Astana... This leaving wasn't planned before nor during Le Tour... WHY? well because I read an interview from Oscar Pereiro and he said that Alberto and Astana's management really want him to stay with the team for another year cuz they were really happy with his performance...

I don't think that Contador is such a facker to lie to Oscar in that way... something else had to have happened between Contador and Astana in this and the last week of the tour... or maybe Riis' offer is so great that AC changed his desicion suddenly...

I'm quite nervous about this... something doesn't match here to me...

I thought riders could not make team change anouncements until after the TdF. I recall that Alberto was unhappy staying with Astana a year ago.

I say go with the best deal you can get.

 

[Hugh Januss]

Alberto has been stringing Astana along all season for two reasons:

1) To get undying Team Support during the Tour.
2) To maximize his and fran's monetary paychecks.

Some forum members recognized this all season long. No big deal.
It is a business for most riders. Big Business for some riders.

Others felt he would stay with Astana lol.
Loyal Alberto. Thank you Team Alberto.
Tweet Tweet Bang Bang.

But after attacking Vino in one stage and attacking during "The Mechanical" in another stage - maybe Vino does not WANT Alberto on the team anymore.

It will be interesting to hear what Vino has to say about this....
"Alberto wants to spend more time with his family" maybe?

I'd have bet dollars to donuts that Polish would spin this in a negative way, unfortunately I couldn't find anybody who would take the other side of that bet.