Contador: May quit Astana cycling team
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By ERIC SYLVERS, Associated Press Writer
Fri Sep 26, 11:44 AM ET
SOMMA LOMBARDO, Italy - Alberto Contador said Friday he will quit the Astana cycling team if his leadership position is not secure following the arrival of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Contador said the Astana cycling team director Johan Bruyneel made assurances that he’ll remain its leader.
“I spoke with Johan about the Tour next year and he said there is no problem and that I will be the leader, but Lance Armstrong is a champion and I think he will want to race to win,” Contador told The Associated Press in an interview. “I am sure that he also wants to be the leader of the team.”
Armstrong announced Wednesday he was joining Astana, reuniting him with his friend Bruyneel after three years in retirement. Bruyneel had coached Armstrong during his Tour victories.
Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour de France, said he has received offers to sign with other cycling teams.
“If I am not happy, I will change teams,” the Spaniard said. “The team has said it has complete confidence in me, but this is a particular situation and I will have to see what happens in the coming weeks to then decide what is best for my future. Four weeks from now, the situation could be completely different.”
Contador, who is under contract with Astana until 2010, said his main objective for next season is the Tour de France.
The Madrid-born rider won the Spanish Vuelta this month, completing the fastest sweep of the three major races. Contador has won the Vuelta, the Tour and the Giro d’Italia in 15 months.
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September 27th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
I don’t blame the guy. I would leave immediately. I think Alberto and Levi are kinda getting screwed in this deal.
October 2nd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
Unless Lance says he’ll take Hincapie’s place as super domestique, it’s the right move for Alberto to leave. Why Levi is still on the team has to be a puzzle to him. I’d be surprised if he stayed too.
October 4th, 2008 at 4:36 am
I sure Alberto will leave, but I guess he is still sticking around in the hope that Lance will be there to work for him. Not likely!!
Too bad, it would have been great to see Lance mold some of the new talent.