Tag Archives: astana

Bruyneel, Contador and Leipheimer go to Astana

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A bit of surprising news. Johan Bruyneel, manager of the Discovery Team, is going to Astana together with Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer. The Discovery Team is disbanding at the end of this season because Discovery is no longer sponsoring cycling teams. I wonder what will happen if organizers of certain races such as the Tour de France decide not to allow Astana to race. Is there something in their contracts that allow them to switch? It’s pretty dangerous I think signing with Astana, whose team has been plagued with doping problems. Alexandre Vinokourov was caught blood doping during the Tour de France, causing the Tour organizers to kick him out. Astana pulled out as well. After Vino came news that Kaschechkin was also using blood doping to enhance his performance.

Cycling bits: Andreas Kloden leaving Astana whose fortunes keep declining

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kloden.jpgAndreas Kloden did not show up at Astana’s training camp and he is working with a private coach, focusing on the World Championship in Stuttgart next month. It’s been a disastrous and frustrating year for Kloden, who was fifth in the standings at the Tour de France this year when teammate Alexander Vinokourov was kicked out for blood doping. Kloden had a very good chance of ending up in the top 3 but had to sacrifice his own performance to wait for Vinokourov at one stage of the Tour. In the end, the blood doping scandal forced Astana. Kloden gave up a great chance to end his career (he is 32) with a top 3 finish at the Tour de France.

Meanwhile, Astana just keeps getting more bad news. After yet another Astana rider was caught engaged in blood doping (Kaschechkin), the Vuelta (Tour of Spain) says they don’t want Astana to compete.