In a way I think many, maybe most of us, have been waiting for this to happen. And it seems clear that Popo rides better for JB.

As a side not I can imagine Astana fielding a decent team for the Giro even without Contador, Leipheimer, or Kloden: Armstrong, Popo, and Brajkovic heading it. Anything to make the Giro field stronger, I say.

It was really hard to watch Popovych this year ‘cause you could tell he really didn’t like his situation at all.
Maybe with Astana so deep with Grand Tour riders he’ll focus on a couple classics this year just before the Giro and then ride shotgun with LA,

That would be a super awsome.

Bruyneel also confirmed that the Astana team roster is now complete.

No Vino? Ha!

Evans must be so frustrated right now, even if he’s ambivalent about popovych leaving. Once again Evans races the Grand Tours on his own.

Clearly Popo wants to ride for a strong leader again, like Chechu. Now all they need to do is bring back Acevedo and US Postal, I mean Disco, will be nearly complete. Lotto wouldn’t be my team of choice for sure, so I can’t fault him for wanting to go where he’s wanted. Astana is going to be super scary.

and for me, his behavior this year was pretty disappointing. His job was to ride for Evans and he didn’t seem to be giving it his all. Not professional in my book.

but Astana is the polar opposite of Qucikstep. While Qucikstep is loaded for the spring, and have a bunch of good sprinters, they have no stage racers. Astana has a bunch of leaders and very good helpers for the stage races, but they are not a big threat at any of the spring races and they have no sprinters what so ever. I’m curious to see what Astana’s Tour team will look like. It could be amazing, Contador, Levi, Kloden, Popo, Paulinho, Rubiera, Zubeldia, Horner, and maybe that other American or someone else. That is going to be a dominant team.

it’s good to see Astana get a little strength in its lineup – it’s always sad to see a team so lacking in talent and depth {sarcasm off)

“You can never step into the same river twice” or as someone else said “you can never go home”.

I’m not a big believer in this “bringing the old gang back together”. Plus I hope with all my heart that this juggernaut goes down in a huge ball of flames.

There is no reason the Astana shouldn’t walk away with all sorts of hardware, shirts and cash next year.

I can just see JB and co sitting at the table in the buss, and asking “Who doesn’t want to ride today?” No one answers and they have to draw straws….

This roster is amazing! I was very happily surprised to see the trade. I was a big fan when Disco gave him props for inheriting the throne, but I had given up a lot of hope for Popo’s career after this year. This transfer should be great for him. A two year contract plus the buyout is the ultimate statement of confidence from a DS/team. Popo is going to ride his ass off for this team.

Contador became my favorite rider, post-Lance, and I was terribly afraid that the Comeback would drive him away. Now, I’m excited to see Astana have the depth to compete for all the GTs next year.

It was the "Bet Memory Essay "

http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/contests/bestmemorywinners.html

I wrote the essay when I was definately going to TdF next year…

I met him at TdG in ‘06 at the post race party. He had a jersey signed by most of the Disco team, but weren’t sure if he was one of them. He proceeded to point out his signature and then printed P-O-P-O-V-I-C-H under his signature and said “There, now you never forget that is Popovich’s signature!” He then proceeded to flirt with my wife and her friend who both were old enough to be his mother.

BTW that year’s race up Brasstown Bald was the best single day of racing I’ve seen. Popo
Got dropped and attacked, what 4 times? before blowing 200 meters from the finish.