What risk? They were already sponsoring Discovery? (remember, this was a team with convicted dopers on the roster, and at least 3 signings of alleged Puerto-involved riders, confessions from former riders, etc). So far, it doesn't seem to have factored into their decision-making process.

Um, ok, jsut out of morbid curiosity what "convicted dopers" did Discovery have on its roster? And, what "confessions of former riders" do you know of and do they really amount to much? I mean Frankie Andreu is one, but who else?

regardless of Trek's past, there's plenty of risk associated with Astana.

OK, I edited 'number' to 'convicted doper'....I'll let you look at the roster an do the research though. Needless to say though, one of their highest profile riders is a convicted doper... And let's face it, the Basso deal is a pretty big black eye as well. Stephen Swart was the most notable (and non-anonymous) former rider to talk (and testify under oath) about doping, though (while the team was still Motorola).

As far as Astana goes, though, I think they're counting on two things: people have short memories, and people will view it as a completely different team. I doubt they're going to have trouble getting a bike sponsor.

If it isn't Trek, I'd be shocked.

Bob

would be interesting to see a company like Felt step in w/ Astana...

---

____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD

Felt will be sponsoring Team Slipstream for next year and they are working HARD to get into the TdF.

Unless someone gets busted for doping between now and January 1st, 08 Trek will be the bike sponsor for Astana once all the contracts are signed and the team is set.

I have it on good authority they'll be riding roadmasters from wal mart. WITH the upgraded tassel handlebars, as was previously reported to the contrary.

---

http://www.noahmwalton.com

They will be on treks. Everything/one that has signed recently, I heard about on a group ride weeks prior. Also heard trek has final say on design of jersey.

Yes Trek...the finest bike for peoples greatest of Kazakstan.

just wait for your bruynel training camp in new mexico

Mexico is ment to be good for training

It's very interesting how TREK and BMC have crossed paths in the past few years, it started with Tyler moving from US Postal to Phonak, via CSC before imploding on a BMC TT machine, then came Floyd taking a similar path from Postal to Phonak before imploding more spectacularly on a BMC. Now Trek is reportedly moving on to take the mantle of BMC at Astana. If Trek end up officially sponsoring Astana, would you get an autographed jersey from Borat every time you buy a Trek!