Go Team Radio Shack!

[Jo-n-NY]

I bet I can guess one person who will NOT be a part of the team...

not 100% sure if we are on the same page, but will take a chance here...I wonder also

[Aggie_Ama]

Astana is already negotiating to keep Contador. I wonder if Levi and Popo will jump ship?

[jobob]

Of course they will

[tulip]

Why in the world is this being announced now, while the TDF is still going on? Isn't there any kind of respect for the current teams and the race itself? Totally uncool.

Oh, of course, how could I be so naive? Make a splash while the Tour is still on because the minute it's over, the US "fans" forget about cycling until next year.

Great, whatever, but really tacky in terms of timing.

[papaver]

Why in the world is this being announced now, while the TDF is still going on? Isn't there any kind of respect for the current teams and the race itself? Totally uncool.

Oh, of course, how could I be so naive? Make a splash while the Tour is still on because the minute it's over, the US "fans" forget about cycling until next year.

Great, whatever, but really tacky in terms of timing.

+++++1

[Eden]

Astana is already negotiating to keep Contador

I've been under the impression that there has been really no real Team Astana for a while now - I heard that they weren't even making the payroll...

[Kalidurga]

Vinokourov announced sometime around the beginning of the Tour that he's coming back to "his" team and that if Brunyeel didn't like it, then Brunyeel would be the one to go. Based on that, this isn't at all surprising. And I'd bet that none of the big names currently on the team would want to ride with Vino, so Radioshack's basically got a ready-made roster. Personally, I'm withholding my excitement until there's word of who signs, especially since I don't think there's been mention of where Johann plans to go. Will he end up going with Lance?

There was mention earlier this week, too, that Contador has been in talks with a new Spanish-based team that's forming.

And the timing doesn't surprise me, either. This seems to be the time of year that contracts get renewed or riders go looking. There were a lot of similar announcements during the last few tours, though maybe none of quite this magnitude.

This is just one more thing to make this TdF interesting

[papaver]

There are indeed rumours that Contador will ride for Alonso's team (the formula one rider).

[Mr. SR500]

GREAT! I never really cared for Contador, glad to see what should be a strong US based team. I made need to start shopping the local RS.

[papaver]

GREAT! I never really cared for Contador, glad to see what should be a strong US based team. I made need to start shopping the local RS.

ehm... it will be an US/Belgian team...

[Aggie_Ama]

I've been under the impression that there has been really no real Team Astana for a while now - I heard that they weren't even making the payroll...

I am aware of that but apparently the Kazak federation lives in denial, they said they envisioned a "spanish/kazahk" team in the article I read on Cyclingnews. Maybe Contador can go to Euskatel, they seem to only want to attack of course he isn't Basque but I think every once in a while they will take just Spanish. I actually find the boys in orange extremely entertaining.

[Norse]

I don't think even Contador wants to be around for Vino's return. He'll have no trouble finding a new home but, of course, it won't be RadioShak. I think it was yesterday that Brunyeel indicated he would direct Lance's new team - he sure the heck doesn't want to be around for Vino's return either. And I think Vino's suspension ends at the end of this month.

I also don't quibble with the timing of the announcement. Contador has not been much of a team player during this Tour (I bet Kloden is still thanking Alberto for pretty much getting him kicked off the podium) and the folks behind Astana are apparently owned by Vino, according to Vino.

[Norse]

More on Brunyeel and Astana parting ways: http://velonews.com/article/95588/br...a-to-part-ways.