The plot thickens...

VTGreg · 06-17-2009, 08:06 AM

http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderre...aga-continues/

Quote:

The Astana Saga Continues

Yet another deadline comes and goes as Astana limps on.

by Joe Lindsey

Since early May, when rumors first surfaced in the press that the Astana team was on shaky financial ground, the team has been whipsawed one way and another as its imminent demise is staved off time and again. Today brought one more such deadline.

In looking to resolve the Astana situation, the UCI reportedly wanted unspecified guarantees that the team would be able to continue through the end of the season - that is, that in making good on past debts, the team wouldn’t simply default again, conveniently solvent just through the Tour de France. Those guarantees, according to Astana spokesman Philippe Maertens, amounted to six million Euro from the sponsors deposited in an escrow account to back the team’s remaining financial obligations for the 2009 season. The deadline? 5PM European Central Time, today.

“We have no news from the UCI yet,” said Maertens in a brief e-mail to Bicycling in response to questions. “If KCF (the Kazakh cycling federation) does not pay, the UCI will probably ask its license commission to react.”

Directeur sportif Viatcheslav Ekimov told Sports.kz last week that he had not been paid for the month of May, but Maertens told Bicycling that, as of now, back salaries have all been paid.

There are several options if the payment isn’t made: the license can be suspended, transferred or revoked entirely. If it’s suspended or revoked, it could mean the team has to drop out of the Tour of Switzerland, and its Tour de France start would be in instant jeopardy. It might also mean a default on rider contracts, which would then leave Alberto Contador free to sign with another team.

Contador yesterday said that he considers his teammates Lance Armstrong and Levi Leipheimer rivals as much as riders on other teams, and Caisse d’Epargne leader Alejandro Valverde added to the intrigue by saying that, if he rides the Tour, he would help Contador if possible. Contador was seen by some to be riding in league with Caisse d’Epargne at the recent Dauphine Libere, and has been linked to the team as a possible home should Astana default on its contracts.

Separately, Maertens confirmed that Johan Bruyneel is negotiating with other potential sponsors. “No news about it,” wrote Maertens. Bruyneel was actively looking “to see if the team can be saved if there is a bad end of the Astana story.”

In press reports last week, the Kazakh federal government had stepped in to fund some of the sponsors’ debts, and an unnamed American company with business interests in Kazakhstan was said to be involved as well. But confusion reigned over how much of the guarantees were paid, by whom, and with whose knowledge - according to the AFP report linked above, Bruyneel was unaware of the new American sponsor.

The situation strongly recalls the previous Astana blowup, when the Kazakh license owners and the management group - then Marc Biver’s Zeus Srl - were sending out conflicting messages. That was right before Biver was sacked as manager following the disastrous 2007 Tour when Alexandre Vinokourov and, later, Andrey Kashechkin tested positive for blood doping. Similar signs of a split appear now.

The team has made steps to distance itself from the Astana brand. Although the Dauphine Libere and Tour de Suisse riders are in the original Astana kit rather than the versions with faded sponsor logos that the team wore at the Giro, some riders have also switched to newer Trek Madones painted in a simple white and black color scheme, without the blue and yellow Astana colors, and Armstrong and Leipheimer were both running all-black Madones on a recent training ride. And Armstrong has made mention of starting a new team in 2010, not to mention rumors of a replacement sponsor for Astana taking over as soon as the Tour de France.

It’s just the latest chapter in the Astana saga, which also saw the team suspend Assan Bazayev for 15 days for poor whereabouts reporting and former leader Vinokourov’s bid to return to the sport early get shot down by CAS. Meanwhile, Armstrong posted on his Twitter account that he’s headed for the Nevada City Classic on June 21, and released a short list of 15 riders vying for nine Tour start spots.

It's amazing how much of a soap opera this has turned into. Especially with the recent quotes of Contador saying he sees his teammates as much as rivals as those on competing teams and that Alejandro Valverde said he would Contador if possible at the Tour (not that he'll be riding in the tour after being banned by the Italian Cycling Federation).

Should be very intriguing to see how this plays out leading up to Le Tour. Should also make for a very exciting month of July.

smeakim · 06-17-2009, 10:38 AM

Yup.... the drama is amazing. I hope it works out like this, Nike comes in and Bruyneel takes over the license. Alberto is a little immature for his age which is shows quite a bit. Waiting to see how this all plays out in the Tour.

Wheres the pic of the bike?

VTGreg · 06-17-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeakim

Yup.... the drama is amazing. I hope it works out like this, Nike comes in and Bruyneel takes over the license. Alberto is a little immature for his age which is shows quite a bit. Waiting to see how this all plays out in the Tour.

Wheres the pic of the bike?

Here you go.

Summary of the build:

09 Tarmac Pro
Easton EC90 crankset
Sram Red Shifters and derailleurs
Dura Ace Cassette (12-23 but I need to get something else for my other wheelset)
Easton EA SLX wheelset
Ritchey WCS 4-Axis Stem
Ritchey Prologic WCS Carbon Bar
Ritchey WCS Carbon Seatpost
TRP Carbon brakes
Fizik Arione Wing Saddle (will probably replace with my Gel Toupe)
Adding the white saddle and some white handlebar tape should add some nice contrast.

Still need to weight the build but I'm assuming around 16 lbs with cages and pedals.

smeakim · 06-18-2009, 07:18 PM

Well looks like the SAGA is over.... BTW what do you do for Oracle? Your pictures keep requiring a login screen to appear.

Nija · 06-19-2009, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeakim

Well looks like the SAGA is over.... BTW what do you do for Oracle? Your pictures keep requiring a login screen to appear.

So it's not just me. Damn that was driving me crazy.

VTGreg · 06-19-2009, 06:59 AM

Sorry. Didn't have anywhere else to host the photos so I put them up there. Obviously that didn't work too well.

smeakim · 06-19-2009, 07:01 AM

No problem.... Wondering what you do for them since I worked for them during all the ERP mergers with JDE and PSFT.

VTGreg · 06-21-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeakim

No problem.... Wondering what you do for them since I worked for them during all the ERP mergers with JDE and PSFT.

I'm a functional apps delivery consultant for them.

VTGreg · 06-23-2009, 12:07 PM

http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderre...am-in-turmoil/

Quote:

Lance’s Team in Turmoil

Seemingly whole, Astana is badly fractured under the surface.

by Joe Lindsey

With the news last week that its Kazakh sponsors had finally made good on their financial obligations after months of non-payment, it seemed like the Astana team could face its biggest goal of the season, the Tour de France, without distraction. But the team that takes the start in Monaco could be a badly fractured squad, riven with trust issues and power struggles that, under the pressure of the Tour, could explode.

A source within the team told Bicycling that when Astana looked like it would default on its obligations, a new structure had been set up to supercede it. Two different sources close to the team confirmed, also anonymously, that the team name was going to be Livestrong-Nike. Seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong raced last Sunday’s Nevada City Classic on an all-black Trek Madone wearing Livestrong kit; his teammates, Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner, rode in Astana team clothing.

“About three weeks ago, we learned that there could be a new sponsor, and that it was Livestrong-Nike,” said one of the outside sources, while the other said that they first heard the possibility of the new team structure about two days before the team switched to its “faded” Astana logo outfits at the Giro d’Italia.

The source within the team said that 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador assured manager Johan Bruyneel of his desire to stay with Livestrong-Nike, but was at the same time also quietly talking with Garmin-Slipstream about switching teams should Astana default on his contract. Garmin manager Jonathan Vaughters could not immediately be reached for comment. Sources have also confirmed that Contador was in discussions with Caisse d’Epargne.

Significantly, the Astana team source said, Garmin was said to be not only signing Contador, but also his Astana teammates Benjamin Noval, Sergio Paulinho, and bringing aboard Contador’s preferred mechanic and soigneur from Astana. Herbalife, which sells weight loss and nutritional supplements via multi-level marketing, was said to be willing to contribute $2 million as a co-sponsor to sign the riders and staff for the remainder of 2009.

That deal was initially set to be announced last Saturday (and, according to the team source, Felt bikes were already on the way to Contador), and the Livestrong-Nike deal, said two of Bicycling’s sources, was also alive until just before the weekend.

But unexpectedly, Astana’s Kazakh sponsors derailed all those plans. In conjunction with the federal government and, according to some reports, an unnamed American corporation with business interests in the region, Astana managed on Thursday to make good on the $6 million bank guarantee that the UCI required.

What this makes clear is that the team’s uncertain sponsorship was not its biggest potential problem. Astana is far from a cohesive unit. Although the strongest team in the race on paper, with Armstrong, Contador, Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden all confirmed to start, their internal divisions could fracture the team and cost them the Tour de France.

Paulinho and Noval are among seven riders who are competing for three remaining spots on the team’s Tour squad. If Paulinho and Noval make the Tour roster, it could mean that the team could develop an even sharper split in allegiances, with riders such as Leipheimer, Yaroslav Popyvych and Horner backing Armstrong, and others backing Contador. If Bruyneel leaves Paulinho and Noval off the Tour team (for that reason or others), then it could mean Contador would be isolated, vying for a second Tour win against his own team.

There has also been discussion of Contador forming alternate alliances, with Caisse d’Epargne leader Alejandro Valverde saying he would help Contador where possible – provided Valverde, who is banned from racing in Italy, even starts. The race’s 16th stage crosses briefly into Italy.

It also seems clear that Contador will switch teams when his contract is up after 2009. And Astana’s problems are far from past as well. The UCI announced in a brief statement today that its License Commission was provisionally suspending its procedure to withdraw Astana’s ProTour license. But the UCI said that the suspension was for an “unspecified length of time” and could be reactivated if necessary. In May, Armstrong mentioned he wanted to launch his own team in 2010.

With just 12 days to go before the start in Monaco, the only thing that seems clear at this point is that, for all its strength, Astana’s biggest opponent at the Tour may be Astana. Whether Armstrong, Contador or some other challenger will emerge victorious, only the race will tell.

I guess we'll just have to start calling Astana "Team Turmoil". I can't see Bruyneel doing anything to side with Contador over Armstrong so I've got to imagine that Paulinho and Noval will be left of the squad unless they are far superior to the others competing for the spots.

Even with all the turmoil, Astana is so much stronger than all of the other teams that they may end up taking all podium spots at le tour.

smeakim · 06-24-2009, 07:06 AM

Well it looks like I pegged it awhile ago with Nike being in the works. Also insteresting stuff about AC going to Garmin. That would take them right to the top. I think they have a good young team and the leader they need. Its a tough call about Lance. He cant do it forever too old really but Levi could be groomed to be the next big thing I think. Well have to wait and see.

VTGreg · 06-24-2009, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smeakim

Well it looks like I pegged it awhile ago with Nike being in the works. Also insteresting stuff about AC going to Garmin. That would take them right to the top. I think they have a good young team and the leader they need. Its a tough call about Lance. He cant do it forever too old really but Levi could be groomed to be the next big thing I think. Well have to wait and see.

I guess it all depends on if VandeVelde is back for the tour. If he isn't then AC is a great fit. If he's back you probably have the same type of situation that exists at Astana where there is a conflict over who's working for whom. Caisse d'Epargne is probably a better fit since Valverde won't be able to complete the race due to his ban from Italy. Valverde could then work for Contador until stage 16.

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06-17-2009, 10:38 AM	#2
smeakim Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CO Posts: 667	Yup.... the drama is amazing. I hope it works out like this, Nike comes in and Bruyneel takes over the license. Alberto is a little immature for his age which is shows quite a bit. Waiting to see how this all plays out in the Tour. Wheres the pic of the bike?

06-18-2009, 07:18 PM	#4
smeakim Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CO Posts: 667	Well looks like the SAGA is over.... BTW what do you do for Oracle? Your pictures keep requiring a login screen to appear.

06-19-2009, 06:59 AM	#6
VTGreg Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 2,346	Sorry. Didn't have anywhere else to host the photos so I put them up there. Obviously that didn't work too well.

06-19-2009, 07:01 AM	#7
smeakim Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CO Posts: 667	No problem.... Wondering what you do for them since I worked for them during all the ERP mergers with JDE and PSFT.

06-24-2009, 07:06 AM	#10
smeakim Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: CO Posts: 667	Well it looks like I pegged it awhile ago with Nike being in the works. Also insteresting stuff about AC going to Garmin. That would take them right to the top. I think they have a good young team and the leader they need. Its a tough call about Lance. He cant do it forever too old really but Levi could be groomed to be the next big thing I think. Well have to wait and see.

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