La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that Alberto Contador has signed an individual agreement to ride Specialized bikes for 2010 with options to renew annually.
It’s likely that the rest of the Astana team will follow suit, assuming they can get theer Pro Tour license back from the UCI. It’s reported that the UCI will make a decision and announcement this Friday regarding letting the Astana team back into the swing of things.
Contador, a two-time Tour de France winner and one-time winner of the Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España, signed a €700,000 (roughly $1,000,000 US) deal to ride Specialized bikes next year. What remains to be seen is if he’ll be doing so with the Astana squad or taking advantage of reported offers from Quick Step or Saxo Bank (both Specialized). Silence Lotto (Canyon) is also reportedly courting him.
Meanwhile, Contador has been talking with Ivan Basso, who came off a two-year doping suspension recently and is under contract to ride for Liquigas (Cannondale) for 2010. Rumors are swirling that Contador is trying to recruit Basso to ride with him on Astana in 2011 and beyond. Why? Because Contador’s brother/manager says they’re in talks to extend their contract with Astana (there were some crazy rumors last week about salaries over $10 million per year, but those were quickly dispelled) beyond 2010.
It’s enough to make your head spin, but at the very least makes for some off-season drama. FTR, riders on a team are allowed to use different brands of bikes.
Here’s a link to the Google Translated story from La Gazzetta. Photo by G.Watson.
