Professional Cycling For the Fans - Contador to stay with Astana in 2010

BBC reporting...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/8203719.stm

No word on any others staying with the team. But this doesn't quote AC as saying that he is staying. Could be a leverage move to increase a buyout amount if its not true. And it could be tactics to try and bring in sponsors. Kind interesting for them to say that they have secured sponsors after the TdF debacle and the significant amount of rumors speculating that AC is leaving. No Bruyneel, no Armstrong, and possibly no Contador. Hard to believe that sponsors are commiting to anything with Astana. But anything is possible with dysfunctional Astana.

Similar news were on Velonews yesterday: http://www.velonews.com/article/96670

I think it would be better for Alberto to ride another year out with Astana rather than dishonor his contract. Then he can go unpressured to another team in 2011. Without Armstrong and JB the team would work for Contador. And most of the negative tension would be gone out of the team.

Does anyone know if Kloden's contract is expired at the end of 2009.

That article is just like a manager in any pro sport saying :

There's no way we're trading (Insert players name here).

Or

There's no way we're firing (insert manager's name here).


Both are true until they're not. Astana will enforce Contador's contract right up until they get the right offer* to buy out his contract or a court order crosses their path.

*might be a pie in the sky offer that is required.

I think it would be better for Alberto to ride another year out with Astana rather then dishonor his contract. Then he can go unpressured to another team in 2011. Without Armstrong and JB the team would work for Contador. And most of the negative tension would be gone out of the team.

Does anyone know if Kloden's contract is expired at the end of 2009.

Kloden's already joined The Shack hasn't he?

I think it would be better for Alberto to ride another year out with Astana rather then dishonor his contract.

Except that if Vino comes back, that could be Astana's kiss of death for gaining entry to the Tour de France in 2010.

That article is just like a manager in any pro sport saying :

There's no way we're trading (Insert players name here).

Or

There's no way we're firing (insert manager's name here).


Both are true until they're not. Astana will enforce Contador's contract right up until they get the right offer* to buy out his contract or a court order crosses their path.

*might be a pie in the sky offer that is required.

That's kinda my take on it as well. The quotes from the Astana official sound as if they haven't even spoken to AC about it yet.

They pretty much have to come out and make statements like this though. They had money issue this season with JB, Lance, and AC in the mix. Take away all three and no sponsor touches that team with a 10 foot pole.

That article is just like a manager in any pro sport saying :

There's no way we're trading (Insert players name here).

Or

There's no way we're firing (insert manager's name here).


Both are true until they're not. Astana will enforce Contador's contract right up until they get the right offer* to buy out his contract or a court order crosses their path.

*might be a pie in the sky offer that is required.

The only way Contador can get a court order is if Astana is in breach of contract. Since none of us has seen the contract how can we know the exact details written into the contract. You can't just get a court order because you want one. You have to show cause sufficient to meet the courts standards.

Also, the buyout could be rather high so in these tough economic times it might not be as realistic as in the past. Also, if Contador is on the team there will be a higher chance of them getting the tour invite. But I do agree that it is a greater risk to Alberto being on the Astana team next year.

Can anybody imagine a situation where Contador will sit out 2010?

Can anybody imagine a situation where Contador will sit out 2010?

Doubt so. That won't do him much good. The thing is other teams, such as Caisse, are pressed to match Astana's release price.

I think it would be better for Alberto to ride another year out with Astana rather than dishonor his contract. Then he can go unpressured to another team in 2011. Without Armstrong and JB the team would work for Contador. And most of the negative tension would be gone out of the team.

Does anyone know if Kloden's contract is expired at the end of 2009.

His contract is expiring end of 2009-he is not yet signed with anyone-hasn't disclosed which team(s) he is negotiating with.

Armstrong had mentioned him as an obvious candidate for Radio Shack.

Can anybody imagine a situation where Contador will sit out 2010?

Hard to see that happening. But who knows. Hard to tell who will be riding for Astana next season. Its a very up in the air situation.

Not good for AC. AC will be very vulnerable next tdf if this is the case. And if LA beats AC next TDF, that will be the last we hear of AC.

And if LA beats AC next TDF, that will be the last we hear of AC.

Good god. Where do you come up with this stuff?

Not good for AC. AC will be very vulnerable next tdf if this is the case. And if LA beats AC next TDF, that will be the last we hear of AC.

Umm, no. He can tag on a faster team if his can't keep up and because he's the best climber, will always be in contention, no matter how poor his team is. He's got a good 3 or 4 really good years left.

Can anybody imagine a situation where Contador will sit out 2010?

Why would he? This is not an the NBA, NFL or NHL. He gains nothing by sittting out. At the end of 2010 he is free to contract.

If Astana did something bad enough to make it worth it to sit for AC he would ahve a very good chance of getting action taken by either the UCI or the court of arbitration for sport. It would also be the death of Astana as they would not be able ot sign any good riders in the future.

If AC thought he got disrespected by the team this year, wait till he gets disrespected by Vino & Co. :lol:

Not good for AC. AC will be very vulnerable next tdf if this is the case. And if LA beats AC next TDF, that will be the last we hear of AC.

Complete nonsense.

LA will not TT better and will not climb better than AC ever again. This weak team thing is way overplayed. In the end it will still come down to who can drop who on the climbs and who can TT better. A team is necessary, but it doesn't have to be the overall strongest team if you have the overall strongest rider. Its not like Astana did a whole lot to help AC this year. If anything he'll have a team dedicated to him winning and a strategy suited to him. Which means he'll probably attack sooner and more often to build a big lead early on. Something that should have happened this year.

Complete nonsense.

LA will not TT better and will not climb better than AC ever again. This weak team thing is way overplayed. In the end it will still come down to who can drop who on the climbs and who can TT better. A team is necessary, but it doesn't have to be the overall strongest team if you have the overall strongest rider. Its not like Astana did a whole lot to help AC this year. If anything he'll have a team dedicated to him winning and a strategy suited to him. Which means he'll probably attack sooner and more often to build a big lead early on. Something that should have happened this year.

No according to Alain Gallopin who explained why Contador lost Paris-Nice.