Contador Keeps Reigns of Astana
rom the Associated Press
MADRID, Spain (AP) -- Alberto Contador said the Astana cycling team made assurances that he'll remain its leader despite the arrival of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Contador said he will quit Astana if his position is not secure, adding he's received offers to join other ProTour teams.
"The team has given me guarantees that I will be the leader but I want the fullest guarantees possible," the 2007 Tour de France winner said in Friday editions of sports daily Marca. "(Astana) told me that they want to back me, but I have to see how all this develops. If I'm not happy, I will leave."
Armstrong announced Wednesday he was joining Astana, reuniting him with his former team leader and friend Johan Bruyneel.
Armstrong said Thursday he doesn't expect to be team leader if he's not the best rider, adding that Bruyneel will make that decision.
Contador, who is under contract with Astana until 2010, said he would only stay if he felt the team was riding for him and not Armstrong.
"Everyone knows that Lance has a big personality and he dominates everything," Contador said. "Under no circumstances do I want my sporting aims to be halted by his arrival. I have to see what aims Armstrong has, what his attitude will be and if Bruyneel is counting on him for the Tour."
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.
By
Amy Shipley
|
September 26, 2008; 9:50 AM ET
| Category:
Cycling
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Posted by: irishnat | September 26, 2008 10:10 AM
Astana or Columbia, either way he is giving something to gain something: Hincappie on Columbia or Bruyneel on Astana. I think going with Bruyneel was the smarter of the two choices, but I would have loved to see a Hincapie/Armstrong team again.
Should Contador stay with Astana? Absolutely, but he should be prepared for the fact that Armstrong will probably be a stronger rider for the Tour than he is. Even if Armstrong isn't physically stronger than Contador, there is a good chance Armstrong will WANT the Yellow Jersey more. And that's huge.
Posted by: Teams? | September 26, 2008 11:34 AM
I think what Contador may not appreciate is that a big part of his success is that he, like Armstrong, has always had the best team for the overall. No sprinters or breakaway specialists on Bruyneel teams. While smaller teams try to win sprint stages, Armstrong always had a stable of incredible teammates, just like Contador had leipheimer and Kloden.
Contador is fooling himself about his own talent. And he's shown himself ungrateful to Leipheimer who has twice given up the shot to win so Contador could gamble on a victory. Alberto's tempting karma
Posted by: rj | September 26, 2008 6:18 PM
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Contador should leave Astana. He won't be team leader as Armstrong will be. Actually, I don't think Armstrong should have joined this team. I would have preferred him with Team Columbia.