Professional Cycling For the Fans - Report: Contador turns down offer to stay with Astana

Alberto Contador doesn’t want to stay at Astana even if Lance Armstrong won’t be around next season.

According to a report in Thursday’s L’Equipe, the two-time Tour de France winner has turned down a multi-million-euro contract extension and is trying to break his remaining year that he has with the Kazakh-backed team.

“Alberto has experienced a season that was psychologically very difficult and now we have to watch out for his future and his tranquility,” said Fran, Contador’s brother and manager, in the French sports daily. “We have nothing against the Kazakhs, but now we have to think about Alberto. Things are too complicated that we can carry on like this. We have to look for a solution with the year’s contract remaining with Alberto.”

Contador turned down a four-year offer worth 4 million Euros per season that would have included his remaining year under his current contract and three more seasons through 2013.

Despite the departure of Armstrong and team boss Johan Bruyneel, who are leaving Astana to form a new team sponsored by RadioShack, Contador wants to turn the page on his turbulent two-year run with Astana.

The imminent return of Alexander Vinokourov from a two-year suspension for blood doping during the 2007 Tour is prompting Contador to look for other options as he considers his future.

According to the Spanish wire service EFE, Contador is looking for a way out of his remaining year with the Kazakh-backed outfit so he can join a new team for 2010.

They reported that sources say Contador has offers from Caisse d’Epargne and Garmin-Slipstream.

http://www.velonews.com/article/96241/report-contador-turns-down-offer-to-stay-with-astana

Astana has money???:eek:

Good for him. Staying would be stupid, regardless of how much they offered him (who knows if they could even pay?...).

So the top cyclist of his day makes $4million a year ... fair enough.

wow, that seems like a lot of base money, even for the top rider. would love to see him on CdE or Garmin though

Astana has money???:eek:

They have money. In a country like that, its more of matter of who's getting it or what the choose to spend it on.

So the top cyclist of his day makes $4million a year ... fair enough.

Last I checked a euro was a little over $1.42. Wow, somewhere north of $5.5 million per year? Sounds high ... but I guess promising it and actually paying it may be 2 different issues with Astana.

So the top cyclist of his day makes $4million a year ... fair enough.

Is that in Euros? If so, more like 5.7 million USD.

and just think. a few morons said after the tour that no one would want contador because of his "attitude" and because he wasn't a "team player" :roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:.

ed rader

He's the best there is out there, by some distance, and proven in all 3 GTs. Although other teams probably can't match Astana's contract, Contador doesn't strike me as one who puts money about winning. He'll probably choose a team best suited for his trophy chase than one that offers $12 million. Caisse looks like the best option should the Alonos project falls through.

Valverde, Pereiro and Sanchez as domestiques ... pretty good for me. Plus, they all speak Spanish.

He's the best there is out there, by some distance, and proven in all 3 GTs. Although other teams probably can't match Astana's contract, Contador doesn't strike me as one who puts money about winning. He'll probably choose a team best suited for his trophy chase than one that offers $12 million. Caisse looks like the best option should the Alonos project falls through.

Valverde, Pereiro and Sanchez as domestiques ... pretty good for me. Plus, they all speak Spanish.

contador wants a team that's going to ride for just him.....just like lance's team rode for just him when he won seven tours in a row.

when you're the best that's hardly an unreasonable request. almost any team would hire contador if they could because they all want to win the big races.

ed rader

Caisse

Pros:
- Spanish
- Friends with Valverde
- Good supporting riders in Valverde, Pereiro & Sanchez, for starters. Rojas and Uran are competent too.

Cons:
- Weak TTT

Caisse

Pros:
- Spanish
- Friends with Valverde
- Good supporting riders in Valverde, Pereiro & Sanchez, for starters. Rojas and Uran are competent too.

Cons:
- Weak TTT

it seems like a good fit. i'd like to see contador go to garmin. you think garmin got clowned this year... if radioshack fields a better team (likely) it'll just get worse next year.

i think if contador brings along paulinho and zubeldia and picks and chooses support riders from garmin they'll have a formidable team too....and maybe we'll see him in the ATOC next year :thumb:.

ed rader

it seems like a good fit. i'd like to see contador go to garmin. you think garmin got clowned this year if radioshack fields a better team (likely) it'll just get worse next year.

i think if contador brings along paulinho and zubeldia and picks and chooses support riders from garmin they'll have a formidable team too....and maybe we'll see him in the ATOC next year :thumb:.

ed rader

He can certainly count on VdV to help him out. The question is, will he trust American team mates again? He had a bad time not only with LA, but LL as well.

Garmin certainly needs a star rider soon. Whereas Caisse has been with Caisse for a decade, Garmin might not enjoy such loyal sponsors.

But if Contador comes, I'm sure Wiggins will leave to topline Sky. Garmin is in a perilous position - TRS might be poaching its riders as well!

That's still a big chunk of change, even for the best rider in the world. To sign him for that amount and still have enough for a decent team, some sponsor is going to have to cough up more beans than anticipated. Yet Contador is making a lousy corporate spokesman so far so that may not be sure-fire thing.

Besides, I thought his contract was with Bruyneel, not with Astana?

That's still a big chunk of change, even for the best rider in the world. To sign him for that amount and still have enough for a decent team, some sponsor is going to have to cough up more beans than anticipated. Yet Contador is making a lousy corporate spokesman so far so that may not be sure-fire thing.

Besides, I thought his contract was with Bruyneel, not with Astana?

Can anyone explain what that last part means? I've heard about it before, but I've no idea how that works.

But more to the point, JB will want nothing to do with AC now that he's back with LA again.

Contador ... well, he did make a terrible SIDI ad in which he leered at the camera with a SIDI in hand. He's not a bad looking fellow. With better photography, he might just be a good spokesman in the Spanish market - after the football stars and Nadal, of course.

Contador will never be happy at Garmin, TRS, or Columbia. To be on an American team, one has to have some semblance of a personality. It would also help to be somewhat appreciative of the folks that throw the money your way. You know, sort of like a Nascar driver.

I see none of that from AC. He should continue his course on a Euro based team. They would all be happier.

That's still a big chunk of change, even for the best rider in the world. To sign him for that amount and still have enough for a decent team, some sponsor is going to have to cough up more beans than anticipated. Yet Contador is making a lousy corporate spokesman so far so that may not be sure-fire thing.

Besides, I thought his contract was with Bruyneel, not with Astana?

just because astana made the offer does not mean that's the going rate. contador has already said that money was not the main consideration: he wants a team that's 100% behind him.

ed rader

Alberto Contador, you've heard the Forum, join Caisse - NOW!!

Contador will never be happy at Garmin, TRS, or Columbia. To be on an American team, one has to have some semblance of a personality. It would also help to be somewhat appreciative of the folks that throw the money your way. You know, sort of like a Nascar driver.

I see none of that from AC. He should continue his course on a Euro based team. They would all be happier.

vaughters has a team full of personality. i'll bet he'll take winning the tour -- or winning anything --over personality any day :).

ed rader

vaughters has a team full of personality. i'll bet he'll take winning the tour -- or winning anything --over personality any day :).

ed rader

The American bit is a real problem, though. AC will probably do better with Spaniards.

Contador will never be happy at Garmin, TRS, or Columbia. To be on an American team, one has to have some semblance of a personality. It would also help to be somewhat appreciative of the folks that throw the money your way. You know, sort of like a Nascar driver.
I see none of that from AC. He should continue his course on a Euro based team. They would all be happier.

The only American team that Contador wouldn't be happy with is TRS. And that's because of Lance. Contador will be happy with any team that fully supports him. Garmin and Columbia have shown that they want to win. And the one thing the AC can do well is win grand tours. There are plenty of marketing firms that could easily deal with this "personality" or marketablity issue. Learning a little English isn't that difficult. We've had superstars here rise, crash and burn, and then rise up again. That's a minimal problem. Especially considering the money at stake.

With regard to wages: I read that as $4M over 4 years, in other words, $1M per year, not $4M per year.

He can certainly count on VdV to help him out. The question is, will he trust American team mates again? He had a bad time not only with LA, but LL as well.

Garmin certainly needs a star rider soon. Whereas Caisse has been with Caisse for a decade, Garmin might not enjoy such loyal sponsors.

But if Contador comes, I'm sure Wiggins will leave to topline Sky. Garmin is in a perilous position - TRS might be poaching its riders as well!

I doubt Garmin will want Contador, they would probably be more interested in retaining Wiggins after his stellar performance. Wiggins leaving Garmin = a weak garmin team, probably focusing more on getting stage wins with tyler.

With regard to wages: I read that as $4M over 4 years, in other words, $1M per year, not $4M per year.

Read again. Original article states $4M per season.

Read again. Original article states $4M per season.

four million euros per season.

ed rader

Well, going by what Bobke said when he discussed pro cycling salaries, the top riders get something in the $2M range. Maybe even $3M. So $5.7M is roughly double anyone else in the peleton.

One suspects we should best treat that number as an "asking price". Remember, his manager is his brother. Not likely to have a whole lot of experience at this.

“Alberto has experienced a season that was psychologically very difficult and now we have to watch out for his future and his tranquility,” said Fran, Contador’s brother and manager, in the French sports daily. “We have nothing against the Kazakhs, but now we have to think about Alberto. Things are too complicated that we can carry on like this. We have to look for a solution with the year’s contract remaining with Alberto.”

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the poor little baby.... somebody feels like they have been picked on and needs a hug...

Well, going by what Bobke said when he discussed pro cycling salaries, the top riders get something in the $2M range. Maybe even $3M. So $5.7M is roughly double anyone else in the peleton.

One suspects we should best treat that number as an "asking price". Remember, his manager is his brother. Not likely to have a whole lot of experience at this.

according to the article astana offered to pay that amount and contador refused the offer. contador did not ask for 4m euros a season.

ed rader

Well, going by what Bobke said when he discussed pro cycling salaries, the top riders get something in the $2M range. Maybe even $3M. So $5.7M is roughly double anyone else in the peleton.

One suspects we should best treat that number as an "asking price". Remember, his manager is his brother. Not likely to have a whole lot of experience at this.

No.

But perhaps a political offer price. Contador has 2 good reasons to leave. He just had a world of grief being the better rider on a team where someone else with ambition has the managment control. If he stays he has a good chance of a replay with Vino. Perhaps not as nasty, but the same underlying issue at the very least. The year before he missed out on the TDF because of drug issues, not his but the teams. Related to Vino, who is coming back. Astana knows he will do whatever he can to go elsewhere. By giving a good offer they look like the good guys, or at the very least not the bad guys. On the cynical side it may create some inflated expectations that cause Contador problems.

Caisse

Pros:
- Spanish
- Friends with Valverde
- Good supporting riders in Valverde, Pereiro & Sanchez, for starters. Rojas and Uran are competent too.

Cons:
- Weak TTT

Their TTT really is above average, but it will lose time to the four-five top ones.

Oh, I wasn't speaking specifically to the Astana offer. Were I AC, I'd run for the hills even were $10M offered. Astana is a disaster waiting for a photographer.

I was talking about AC's value on the open market.


(and a very astute speculation on Astana's offer, Keith)

We should have a poll to 'decide' which is the best team for AC, once he has left Astana for good.

I doubt Garmin will want Contador, they would probably be more interested in retaining Wiggins after his stellar performance. Wiggins leaving Garmin = a weak garmin team, probably focusing more on getting stage wins with tyler.

Wiggins had a great performance this TdF. But it has yet to be seen if he is a true threat to win like Contador or Andy Schleck. He climbed well, but he's not in that class. Making the retention of Wiggins over adding Contador is a mistake. Contador plus Garmin = grand tour victories. Wiggins plus Garmin with no AC = possible top ten finishes in grand tours.

JV is really happy to have Wiggo and VDV on the team. I'm guessing he'd rather have those two than Contador.

Or at least I'm hoping. I'm not an AC fan. He seems like a total asswipe a lot of the time.

JV is really happy to have Wiggo and VDV on the team. I'm guessing he'd rather have those two than Contador.

Or at least I'm hoping. I'm not an AC fan. He seems like a total asswipe a lot of the time.

JV should be happy. Wiggins surprised everyone with his riding. But, if that's his preference, he's not very smart. How many riders are out there have won 4 grand tours in the last couple of years at the age of 26? One. To pass him up because you "like" VDV or you think that one day Wiggins can possibly be a podium finisher in a grand tour is foolish. Racing is about winning.

The AC personalitly thing is blown way out of control. Nobody ever gave a second thought to it until his conflicts with Armstrong. If Lance isn't on the team, then there won't be any problems. The issue with Contador will be more about a good team and the amount of money they can come up with. Him turning down Astana's lucrative offer shows that its more than just about the money. He wants to win, badly. So a team like a Columbia or Garmin, might actually have a shot at signing him if the new Spanish team thing falls through.

Smart money has to be on a Spanish team, dedicated to Contador's service. Assembling a quality lineup -and financing it - shouldn't be difficult. Contador is the dominant force in stage racing, so lots of riders will want to join him and sponsors will be lining up.

JV should be happy. Wiggins surprised everyone with his riding. But, if that's his preference, he's not very smart. How many riders are out there have won 4 grand tours in the last couple of years at the age of 26? One. To pass him up because you "like" VDV or you think that one day Wiggins can possibly be a podium finisher in a grand tour is foolish. Racing is about winning.

The AC personalitly thing is blown way out of control. Nobody ever gave a second thought to it until his conflicts with Armstrong. If Lance isn't on the team, then there won't be any problems. The issue with Contador will be more about a good team and the amount of money they can come up with. Him turning down Astana's lucrative offer shows that its more than just about the money. He wants to win, badly. So a team like a Columbia or Garmin, might actually have a shot at signing him if the new Spanish team thing falls through.
Garmin is an English speaking team. Contador barely speaks English and will want to bring a host of Spaniards who also speak little English. That's going to really screw up communication...not to mention they all have to be fit into his anti-doping credo. He's already proven he'd rather have a clean team finish 5th than a dirty team finish first. I seriously doubt he has the money to make this happen without an additional sponsor. I just don't see this happening.

Columbia is more desperate for a good GC rider but I doubt they take one they have to dedicate 8 guys to. That would leave Cavendish quite pissed.

Garmin is an English speaking team. Contador barely speaks English and will want to bring a host of Spaniards who also speak little English. That's going to really screw up communication...not to mention they all have to be fit into his anti-doping credo. He's already proven he'd rather have a clean team finish 5th than a dirty team finish first. I seriously doubt he has the money to make this happen without an additional sponsor. I just don't see this happening.

Columbia is more desperate for a good GC rider but I doubt they take one they have to dedicate 8 guys to. That would leave Cavendish quite pissed.

I don't think the language problem will be an issue at all. Teams have been multi-lingual for years.

Money may end up being the problem for a lot of teams. Even though AC may be willing to take less than the Astana offer, it was still pretty hefty to raise some eyebrows. And for him to not go with a Spanish team like Caisse D'epargne, an American team would have offer some serious cash. Odds are it will be a Spanish based team. But ya never no.

Columbia is kinda odd. No real GC rider. But they dedicate the entire team to leading out Cavendish. The guy wins a ton of stages, but doesn't win the Green jersey. That's hard to do. Hard to see any serious GC contender going there when the team is going to gas itself running down breakaways so they can win sprint finishes.

They're worried about his "tranquility"?

Best thing that could happen is for Alonso to start that new team. He and Sergio Garcia and Contador can sit around and whine at how the world treats them so bad.

Whatever...