Contador in a new team in 2010 Options

[fab]

Spanish solidarity: Alonso could build a team around Contador. Which PT licence? Wait and see.

[smug]

it's wise to dangle this out now so that next year's team could provide support in this year's tour.

[rational head]

I'm sure Contador is seriously considering to part with any Armstrong/JB-lead team if he can.

The only hard information on the possibilities is that Proskurin hinted at new Kazakh-Spanish team.

Also, an article in sports.kz referred to Contador and Kloedi prefering to stay with Astana stripped of JB/Armstrong.

Sure, a Spanish team makes most sense for him but I don't think he will limit himself to this rather thin single consideration.

If he wins this tour, there are only 3-4 teams that can afford him (I guess he'll be asking 3 mil euros)

[sweatpea]

Why am I not surprised that Contador would look to fly the coop? But before he does, I hope he leave his mark on Lance.

[formerlyfit]

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fernando Alonso is considering starting up a team with Contador as it's leader.

[OAR]

Why am I not surprised that Contador would look to fly the coop? But before he does, I hope he leave his mark on Lance.

Are you talking about skid marks?

My apologies but that was the first thing I thought of when I read your post!

[N.B.O.L.]

Isn't there still a year left on Contador's contract? Is the contract with Astana or with JB's management company?

[Burkni]

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fernando Alonso is considering starting up a team with Contador as it's leader.

Is he not driving race cars anymore?

[Strategy]

Some

Alonso's team won't be realistically in the game before 2011, according to the person himself. On the other hand, it looks as if the project may become a reality. Alonso's manager (who is known in Spain for being a great hand at closing sponsor deals) is rumored to be on the case, and there are lots of rumors about Spanish companies that he is in talks with.

The most interesting rumor, is perhaps that of the Spanish bank Santander. The vice president of the Bank is Alfredo Saenz... the same guy who controlled Banesto during the early 90s. Saenz took Banesto from threatened bankruptcy to a success, in great part thanks to the success of the sponsorship of Miguel Indurain. Rumor has it that he now plans to do the same backing Alonso... and Contador.

Alonso wants to collect all the best and brightest that Spanish Cycling has to offer. Contador is obviously the captain. Samuel Sanchez is also a hot name for the team - Sanchez and Alonso train together (on the bike). Chechu Rubiera (also from Asturia where Sanchez and Alonso hail from) is supposed to become a DS on the new team.

Other riders who Alonso looks to be in talks with include Carlos Barredo and Carlos Sastre.

The interesting point here, of course, is that Contador's contract with Astana doesn't end until 2011, and the same is true of Samuel Sanchez. Rubiera is retiring this year (unless he takes one more year at Radioshack), so if things work out, he may very well be working all next year preparing the creation of this new team.

If the plans work out, it looks as if a new Spanish powerhouse team will emerge in 2011.

[Perico]

Here's a nugget for you:

Team Garmin-Slipstream will pursue Alberto Contador if the two-time Tour de France winner becomes available after the potential breakup of his team, Garmin-Slipstream sporting director Jonathan Vaughters said Sunday.

Vaughters spoke from Paris two hours after Contador won his second Tour in three years. He is signed through 2010, but his Team Astana's status remains in question. Seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, Astana's third-place finisher who helped Contador win this Tour, announced he is leaving to join RadioShack's new team.

Joining him likely will be Astana's Levi Leipheimer, a potential Tour winner, and Astana director Johan Bruyneel, who directed Armstrong's seven wins. Astana missed paychecks during the Giro d'Italia in May, nearly voiding Contador's contract until he was paid in June.

"The game starts now," Vaughters said.

Signing the Spaniard would be massive for the Boulder-based cycling team, which placed two cyclists in the top eight of only its second Tour de France. Contador, 26, has proved he is the top cyclist in the world with two Tour wins and last year's victories in the Vuelta a España and the Giro.

It was widely reportedly before the Tour that Contador wanted out of Astana. He wasn't happy with the missed paychecks or a perceived favoritism toward Armstrong.

Is his contract voided if Bruyneel leaves? What happens if Armstrong attracts current teammates to RadioShack and Astana folds? Does Contador become a free agent?

"We'd be interested," Vaughters said. "But there are so many variables. We'll have a better idea in 10 days or two weeks."

Contador and Vaughters are on good terms. Vaughters, whose team has a training base in Spain, speaks Spanish and frequently talks to Contador. The Tour champion's price will be expensive — and it went up after Sunday — but Vaughters thinks he can sell him on Garmin-Slipstream, which has proved better than any Spanish team in the Tour.

Christian Vande Velde finished fourth last year and despite a crash in the Giro, he still finished eighth and helped Bradley Wiggins to fourth.

"I like Alberto a lot," Vaughters said. "He wants to win the Tour de France. He'd rather take a winning team over a big paycheck. Our team is capable of propelling him to win the Tour de France."

http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_12919159

I don't know how I'd feel were I Bradley Wiggins at the moment, after just proving to everyone that you have what it takes to be a GT contender. Or Christian Vande Velde, who just finished in the top 10 for the second consecutive year, despite not being at 100% because of injury while the rest of the contenders from a year ago fizzled way down the GC rankings (except F. Schleck).

Contador's one of my favorite riders, but I'm a CVV fan and have grown to like Wiggins a good deal. Obviously, I don't think either is going to beat Contador, but they are both good GC riders.

This post has been edited by Perico: Jul 26 2009, 11:00 PM

[Tom T.]

Garmin would be a great place for him to end up although "questions" about AC seem to place him outside of the Garmin mold.

[zekeydekey]

Here's a nugget for you:
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_12919159

I don't know how I'd feel were I Bradley Wiggins at the moment, after just proving to everyone that you have what it takes to be a GT contender. Or Christian Vande Velde, who just finished in the top 10 for the second consecutive year, despite not being at 100% because of injury while the rest of the contenders from a year ago fizzled way down the GC rankings (except F. Schleck).

Wow, I think they'd feel somewhat like Contador felt this year. Not too great. Wiggins is no 3-time GT winner, but he does seem to be emergent.

I'm pretty amazed that Vaughters would go after Contador. That is NOT going to reinforce the Garmin Slipstream brand IMO.

[Strategy]

So Vaughters finally admitted that he'd try to sign Contador. Interesting.

[sweatpea]

Here's a nugget for you:


http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_12919159

I don't know how I'd feel were I Bradley Wiggins at the moment, after just proving to everyone that you have what it takes to be a GT contender. Or Christian Vande Velde, who just finished in the top 10 for the second consecutive year, despite not being at 100% because of injury while the rest of the contenders from a year ago fizzled way down the GC rankings (except F. Schleck).

Contador's one of my favorite riders, but I'm a CVV fan and have grown to like Wiggins a good deal. Obviously, I don't think either is going to beat Contador, but they are both good GC riders.

I guess JV is much more competitive than he lets on. What ever happened to his "better to be clean than win" mantra. As for CVV, nice guy but lacks that killer instinct that a GC contender has to win.

[kevin]

With AC, G-SS would have a pretty darned good team for the tour: CVV and Wiggins who could get you over the mountaings. TTists for the TTT and pulling back breaks.

Would make sense. JVV could solidify the "brand" with a big win.

I won't comment on the cleanliness.

[Kiwi]

That is NOT going to reinforce the Garmin Slipstream brand IMO.

Agreed.

I would trust Vaughters to do his due diligence, though, as he's talked about extensive bio-passport scrutiny and analysis.

I wouldn't mind a reason to cheer for Contador in 2010, and riding for Garmin would be the only thing that would do it.

[Strategy]

Astana has offered Contador a contract till 2012, with an option to extend until 2013. Contador will also get complete freedom to select whichever support riders he wants.

Vino will ride on the team as a lieutenant for Contador. Astana and Bruyneel have also apparently made a deal that will allow Vino to return to the team in time for the Vuelta. In return, Bruyneel and Armstrong will be allowed to transfer the contracts of any Astana riders they wish to Team Radio Shack.

[Hombre]

With AC, G-SS would have a pretty darned good team for the tour: CVV and Wiggins who could get you over the mountaings. TTists for the TTT and pulling back breaks.

Would make sense. JVV could solidify the "brand" with a big win.

I won't comment on the cleanliness.

Wiggo will never win, but who knows.
Maybe he can improve his time trialing for next year!


Christian is unlikely to podium against AC, Lance, and Schelck, but who knows?

Garmin of course by commenting is saying Contador is no longer in play.
Breif prediction, AC will never go Garmin, because f their due diligence stuff.

[Velo]

Contador needs to go to a Spanish team and surround himself with loyal Spanish subjects. I still think Caisse (even if it is technically a French team) would be the best fit - an established team with a big budget led by a manager who knows how to win GTs. A Tour team led outright by Contador with support from Valverde (if he's still around of course), LL Sanchez, Rodriquez, Pereiro, even Moreau - that's not a bad group.

And if nothing else, at least that pistol-shooting thing would look a little less silly if he were wearing a kit of black and red than one of baby blue and gold.

[bodomaniac]

I'm pretty amazed that Vaughters would go after Contador. That is NOT going to reinforce the Garmin Slipstream brand IMO.

I agree and feel this is all coming about as a result of his dislike of all things LA and Columbia. It's JV's way of telling both to Fork Off!

And if nothing else, at least that pistol-shooting thing would look a little less silly if he were wearing a kit of black and red than one of baby blue and gold.

How true!