Astana Cycling Team

Original from Gazzetta.it

Translation - from albertocontadornotebook.info/

MARCA - EFE - Alberto Contador revealed in an interview published in Friday’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport that he had to buy wheels with his own money for a time trial stage at the Tour de France because Astana couldn’t guarantee him the best wheels.

“It happened before the time trial in Monte Carlo. They didn’t have the best wheels for me. So even though it seemed incredible, I had to buy them myself,” he explained.

The winner of the Tour de France, on the other hand, confirmed that he will stay with Astana “only if it’s a ProTour team.” Contador announced yesterday, Thursday, that he will remain with the Kazakh team if they keep their ProTour license and adhere to the code of ethics.

“The license is essential. I want to stay with Astana, but only if it’s a ProTour team. If not, I consider myself a free man,” he explained.

Contador revealed that he also made it a condition for renewal with Astana that there exist a “strict internal anti-doping program.” He explained, furthermore, that he signed for one year only with Astana “for prudence” and not because he wanted to abandon the team next season.

Concerning the new directeur sportif, Yvon Sanquer, he assured that “he’s a competent person, educated and capable,” and denied that in order to stay with Astana, he had demanded the explusion of Alexandre Vinokourov. About the ex-director of Astana, Johan Bruyneel, Contador admitted that he was bothered by what he had said about “money having changed my life.”

“Bruyneel knows perfectly well that I still live in Pinto, the same way I always have. Without luxuries.”

The winner of two Tours, a Vuelta a España and a Giro d’Italia explained that he will begin to train within a few days and that he might debut at the Volta ao Algarve, but he confirmed that his main goal for the season is the Tour de France. Likewise, he didn’t count out that if he has a good team he can ride the Giro and the Tour this season and win both.