this years tour is actually being run under the french cycling federation not the uci because astana were excluded (being a pro tour team they are entitled to ride) and dont forget astana puling out of the 2006 tour because of operation puerto ( they didnt have enough riders left to field a team ) thats why the tour organisers said they wanted to see them ride this year without incident before letting the back in hence no contador (unfortunately imo) but he new what nest of vipers he was getting into before signing obviously it was still worth his while at the end of the day the tour organisers didnt want to be embarrassed by the team again understandably