I hate to say I told you so, yesterday, but I think this news, which is now all over the net, confirms Astana's end.
Unfortunately, this decision comes, as much out of necessity, as choice.
However, things aren't a simple as they appear.
Getting a sponsor, even for Big Tex, isn't easy.
Remember, he struggled to get Discovery to commit, only with a false promise that he would ride until the sponsorship contract ended.
He retired after one season. leaving the "Channel" with egg on it's face.
Will a new sponsor trust him with $20 million of their credit crunched dollars?
Bruyneel? Well, he failed miserably.
Then there's the question of aquiring a PT licence. Bruyneel has "borrowed" the one he is currently using, from the Kazakhs.
Enter Mr McQuaid and his formidable rule bending abilities.....
Unfortunately, this decision comes, as much out of necessity, as choice.
However, things aren't a simple as they appear.
Getting a sponsor, even for Big Tex, isn't easy.
Remember, he struggled to get Discovery to commit, only with a false promise that he would ride until the sponsorship contract ended.
He retired after one season. leaving the "Channel" with egg on it's face.
Will a new sponsor trust him with $20 million of their credit crunched dollars?
Bruyneel? Well, he failed miserably.
Then there's the question of aquiring a PT licence. Bruyneel has "borrowed" the one he is currently using, from the Kazakhs.
Enter Mr McQuaid and his formidable rule bending abilities.....