UCI decide on Astana today

[justAl]

Should the UCI take in to consideration the possible appointments of Yvon Sanquer (formely of Festina) and Guiseppe Martinelli ( formely Directeur sportif of Pantani). Is this how the sport is being cleaned up and the start of a new era? Hmmm

 

[dellzeqq]

Should the UCI take in to consideration the possible appointments of Yvon Sanquer (formely of Festina) and Guiseppe Martinelli ( formely Directeur sportif of Pantani). Is this how the sport is being cleaned up and the start of a new era? Hmmm

hhmmm indeed. Where are Flavio Briatore and Freddie Shepherd when you need them to bring a touch of class to the proceedings...?

 

[Noodley]

Is this how the sport is being cleaned up and the start of a new era? Hmmm

It's gonna be difficult to find many DS's without some association to doping

 

[Keith Oates]

The way that Vinokourov (sp) told Bruyneel to lump it of like it but he was coming back, I guess any other DS would also have to be 'guided' by him as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Will1985]

Cyclingnews reporting that Tiralongo has signed. A reasonably good rider like that isn't going to sign for a team which may potentially lose its ProTour status within hours. I wonder if we should read into this...

 

[yello]

Well, I'm starting to believe UCI have decided already... and Astana are not getting a licence.

Methinks the departure of several personnel to TeamShack, whilst still supposedly under contract to Astana, would not have happened if UCI were to grant Astana a licence.

 

[Will1985]

I'd hope so....I'd rather not have to see Vinokourov racing at all. Bar a few riders they are starting to look like a national outfit again.

 

[Noodley]

It seems McQuaid is saying no decision until mid November according to a poster on bikeradar.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Clearly the contents of the first brown envelope were not satisfactory...

 

[rich p]

It seems McQuaid is saying no decision until mid November according to a poster on bikeradar.

I suspect they don't really want Astana but as they've stumped up the wonga they're going to have to think ever so hard for another reason to dump them.

 

[rich p]

Astana Pro tour application still not in order - see here...

...but neither is Team Sky's yet

 

[Keith Oates]

It also gives the green light for Contador to move teams, this could be the chance he wanted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[yello]

It also gives the green light for Contador to move teams, this could be the chance he wanted!

Seems like it does doesn't it. So when do we expect him to announce his departure? Surely he won't stay??

 

[rich p]

The UCI have confirmed that Bertie can go!

see here

I suspect he'd prefer Caisse d'Epaigne for personnel reasons but if it's Garmin then Wiggo can go to Sky. I don't know if that's a good thing for Brad or not. For a start are they definitely get a tour place and will their roster be up to supporting a GC contender?

 

[yello]

will their roster be up to supporting a GC contender?

That's my concern. I'd like to think it will be but (and I'll readily admit my concerns are based on negligible knowledge) my gut reaction is 'no'. I reckon BW's best option is to stay at Garmin for another year and hope Contador goes elsewhere.

I don't think Contador is a QuickStep rider myself (doesn't fit my idea of one!!) and I see him fitting into Caisse d’Epargne.