Would Johan Bruyneel leave Astana. If Contador wins this year, would JB stay with Astana and the current hot stage race rider or make the jump to be with Lance one more time. A team that could also include up and coming star Taylor Phinney. I know AC is signed with Astana for 2010, but I don’t know what kind of contract JB has as a director.
Just curious to hear some thoughts and speculation. I can’t read most of the posts today because of the spoiler alerts. It’s on tivo to watch tonight, so PLEASE don’t ruin it.
Lance has said many times that he is loyal to Johan. I was thinking that Astana won’t be around tomorrow. Levi, Lance, Hincapie all sign with Trek/LS for a farewell tour.
Not knowing what the Lance/AC relationship really is, who knows what AC will do, but I have a hard time believing that Lance and Johan wouldn’t want him on their team. To your question, though, Lance will ride for Johan.
I highly doubt any of these big riders will stay at astana.
Levi/Lance/Horner/Popo to the new team, Contador to that rumored spanish start up team or somewhere else.
Curious as to where Kloden would go, he seems like he could have a go as TL in a GT right now…
Same with Armstrong and Bruyneel. They have a strong working relationship. They have an excellent system. It has worked. I figure those two fellows will continue working together.
I highly doubt any of these big riders will stay at astana.
Levi/Lance/Horner/Popo to the new team, Contador to that rumored spanish start up team or somewhere else.
Curious as to where Kloden would go, he seems like he could have a go as TL in a GT right now…
add to that list Lance’s Man Crush and George Hincapie
I am pretty sure that like the Postal/ Discovery teams, both Johan and Lance are part owners of the Nike Livestrong team which pretty much answers that question. Due to the financial issues with Astana and the stipulation that the Astana owners want Vinokoroav in the fold upon the ending of suspension at the end of July the management and riders will change. I would not rule out a team that includes Lance and Contador again under the Livestrong banner. These guys are businessmen and cycling is their business. A lot of this team rival stuff is fabricated to confuse theur competition and it has worked. If you watched the footage of the team car you can seee how they work as a unit. Bike racing is about options and Johan wants as many bullets as long as possible. You can see how unpredictable racing is with Voigts crash. If something unfortunate happened to one of the Astana riders, they would still be in position to win this tour.
They have not posted it yet but they menitoned it in their live stage coverage. But given their history the only question is whose going to hold the tiger.
I highly doubt any of these big riders will stay at astana.
Levi/Lance/Horner/Popo to the new team, Contador to that rumored spanish start up team or somewhere else.
Curious as to where Kloden would go, he seems like he could have a go as TL in a GT right now…
add to that list Lance’s Man Crush and George Hincapie
Hincapie has said that the reason he is still racing and plans to continue is because of the connection he has and the fun he is having at Columbia HTC. Do you think he would jump to a Livestrong/Nike/Bristol Myers Squibb team?
They were having a little spat a few days ago when George lost the yellow jersey. I felt bad for good 'ole George. It’s like Armstrong has always said though, “No gifts…”
I highly doubt any of these big riders will stay at astana.
Levi/Lance/Horner/Popo to the new team, Contador to that rumored spanish start up team or somewhere else.
Curious as to where Kloden would go, he seems like he could have a go as TL in a GT right now…
add to that list Lance’s Man Crush and George Hincapie
Hincapie has said that the reason he is still racing and plans to continue is because of the connection he has and the fun he is having at Columbia HTC. Do you think he would jump to a Livestrong/Nike/Bristol Myers Squibb team?
I doubt that Astana will exist in 2010. Contador may have a contract, but Astana is having a tough time even paying for this year. I can’t imagine they’ll want to pay Contador’s inevitably increasing salary next year. Contador would have plenty of suitors if he decided to leave. Given Columbia-HTC’s success, I could easily see them having the $ to bid. Plus there has already been the rumor that Contador was interested in signing with Garmin if Astana didn’t get an invite this year. My guess is Contador will go to an existing team with big $ - Columbia, Garmin - or a new team. I think Garmin wants a jersey. Columbia may be green-jersey focused for a while, so Garmin could grab Contador as a virtually guaranteed yellow for the next few years. Lance & Bruyneel will go to Nike-Livestrong-Trek-BristolMeyers-whatever along with a lot of other big Americans - Levi, maybe VDV if Contador goes to Garmin.
Lance & Bruyneel will go to Nike-Livestrong-Trek-BristolMeyers-whatever along with a lot of other big Americans - Levi, maybe VDV if Contador goes to Garmin.
I highly doubt any of these big riders will stay at astana.
Levi/Lance/Horner/Popo to the new team, Contador to that rumored spanish start up team or somewhere else.
Curious as to where Kloden would go, he seems like he could have a go as TL in a GT right now…
add to that list Lance’s Man Crush and George Hincapie
Hincapie has said that the reason he is still racing and plans to continue is because of the connection he has and the fun he is having at Columbia HTC. Do you think he would jump to a Livestrong/Nike/Bristol Myers Squibb team?
He would if Lance’s man crush goes…
Ben Stiller went pro? Or are you talking about Matthew McConaughey?
