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craig1985 said:It would be interesting if LA got dropped on a mountain and Contador was going well, what would a rider who is a mate of Contador (like Noval for instance) would be in between a rock and hard place as he would feel the need to drop back and help LA or stick with his friend who helps him have a pro contract.
What would you do?
jaylew said:Bruyneel told French sports daily L'Equipe that Contador is the best Grand Tour rider, "which leaves no doubt about his leadership during the next Tour de France. The goal is to win. There is talk of a duel between [Lance] Armstrong and Contador, but what there is is a duel between ourselves and others," said Bruyneel, who also confirmed, "Armstrong is not the team's second rider. With what we saw in the Giro, that [role] is for Levi [Leipheimer]."
The Astana director added that Contador's main rivals for the Tour de France - including teammates Leipheimer, Armstrong and Andreas Klöden, plus Denis Menchov, Carlos Sastre, Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans - were "a step below" the level of the Spaniard.
Bruyneel also spoke of the possibility that Contador had been approached by Caisse d'Epargne about a move to the Spanish squad next season. "I spoke with Alberto during the Giro and [he] told me there was nothing about the rumour that he met with the Caisse d'Epargne [team]. Trust us," said Bruyneel.
ElChingon said:And from these statements everyone is reading that the leadership is clearly defined? Its one of the most muddied statements I've ever read, its says nothing to back anything up. Its called propaganda that is stated to confuse or make people think what they are assuming but there is no clear statement. Or am I just not seeing it?
Mellow Velo said:I also noticed this, from the same piece.
For several months the Kazakh government hasn't fulfilled its obligations to pay brokers and assistants of the squad, which led the UCI to examine the grounds for possible suspension of Astana's ProTour licence.
So, do we draw the conclusion the riders were being paid, after all?
In which case...........
If I had to pick a team leader, based upon the Giro showing, I'd be sticking with Contador, too.
Unless Lance has a visit from the "11th Hour" boys, scheduled.![]()
franciep10 said:I don't get this confusion aspect I think Bruyneel was pretty clear. Contador is #1 Levi is #2 and Lance is #3 how clearer than that do you want it
Thoughtforfood said:...including teammates Leipheimer, Armstrong and Andreas Klöden, plus Denis Menchov, Carlos Sastre, Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans - were "a step below" the level of the Spaniard."
He lists Leipheimer, Armstrong, and Kloden as Contador's main rivals? Clear as mud.
Mellow Velo said:I also noticed this, from the same piece.
For several months the Kazakh government hasn't fulfilled its obligations to pay brokers and assistants of the squad, which led the UCI to examine the grounds for possible suspension of Astana's ProTour licence.
So, do we draw the conclusion the riders were being paid, after all?
In which case...........
If I had to pick a team leader, based upon the Giro showing, I'd be sticking with Contador, too.
Unless Lance has a visit from the "11th Hour" boys, scheduled.![]()
jaylew said:Armstrong is not the team's second rider. With what we saw in the Giro, that [role] is for Levi [Leipheimer]."
The GCW said:Now, IT'S OFFICIAL: Contador is Astana's leader.
-0-
If I'm correct, Armstong stated that He wanted to come back to win an 8th Tour.
So does that mean that it's Armstrong, not Contador, who needs to find another team?