Astana Cycling Team

-  Good day Nikolay Abramovich! Congratulations! Is Alberto staying with Astana?

- Hello, thank you. Yes.
-  100%?

- Yes.
-  And is Bruyneel leaving? If “yes” were there any chances of a compromise, to have him stay? Have Vinokourov’s harsh statements and some Kazakh cycling federation’s claims contributed to that?

-  Contador stays with Astana upon the condition that Bruyneel leaves, that is his demand!
-  Is it?! Is it possible that Alberto can make such demands? What’s happened?
-  That happened in the end of last year! That’s when their relations were damaged.
-  So is Contador more important for Astana than Bruyneel? But Johan is the #1 manager in the world, he is the only one!
-  Yes, he is more important! He is also the only one! There is another important factor: Bruyneel is totally against Vinokourov and Kashechkin joining Astana!
-  How so? They say in the media that Bruyneel doesn’t mind to see Vino in Astana.
-  In reality it’s different. Not only he’s opposed to that, but also resists! He says something but he doesn’t always do that. We are not against Bruyneel, we even want to collaborate with him further... but these two factors contribute to our separation!

-  Why Alberto haven’t said about his decision yet? Or is it because of media and society?
-  Yeah.
-  So now Alberto can recommend riders to be his teammates.. they will probably be Spanish.
-  Yes, he’s almost set up his team.
-  You were at Tour de France all this time, how did Bruyneel treat you? Was he offended?

-  Everything was fine.. I haven’t taken a good look at him.
-  The money that Gusev won from Astana, will our team have to pay them after Bruyneel leaves? When does he leave?
-  He’ll work with the team till the end of the season. He made a written statement that this case is his responsibility.
-  Are Ekimov and Kloden leaving too?
-  It’s more likely that they both will join Bruyneel’s team.
-  Who will be our new manager? Someone from Europe? Who is the main sponsor? Will there be financial problems next year again?
-  We can’t say anything yet, but there will be serious changes. Main sponsor is still Samruk-Kazyna. There shouldn’t be financial problems because it was mentioned during a Ministry of sports session that there’s no another team of such a level and with such a rating in other sports in Kazakhstan! And the project will be supported by the state!
-  Let’s talk about Vinokourov. Do you see him as Astana’s manager in future?
-  An athlete is not a manager! Time will only show!
-  What can you say about Vino’s shape?
-  No can say anything. Only races will show!
-  When will Vino finally ride with Astana? Which race will he start with?
-  Sasha will be in Astana very soon. Which race? We don’t know for sure yet.
-  Who will ride Asian championships except Vino?
-  Many riders will... Iglinskiy brothers... Bazayev.
-  Let’s talk about Valentin Iglinskiy. He’s been riding in European and other races for a while, he won a few. But he’s still not in Astana, while many other less known riders were included in the team roster? Upon what criteria? And will Valentin be considered as a candidate next year?
-  Wins are not enough. The federation has claims to his behavior, we can’t call it professional. Yes, he’ll be considered... we are keeping eyes on him… we’ll see if he’s changed.
-  Will Mizurov be a candidate to race World championships this year?
-  Of course.
-  And a potential Astana rider, if he wishes?
-  I can’t answer this question now.
-  When will Kashechkin be in Astana?
-  The thing is, Andrey haven’t come or called or written to Federation for a very long time! We aren’t connected. I personally would like to see him in Astana.
-  Will Akhmetov be President of Cycling Federation in future? Will there be changes too?
-  I don’t think so.
-  Thank you very much! Everything was very interesting and unexpected!