L'Equipe: Bruyneel et Armstrong virés?

by rbjhan on Jul 3, 2009 6:37 AM EDT

As if Astana don't have enough troubles now.

Basically they are saying Vino's return on 24 July is the end of JB & LA in Astana. Kazakh President Nazarbayev is stepping in, will get rid of the sponsors who hadn't paid (and find some new ones presumably).

They are going to make a new offer to Bert, guarantee his sole leadership blah blah blah...according to L'Equipe, this will happen in Sep.

hmmm, may the bidding wars begin...

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who really has the contract with the riders?

i always thought it was the management team, i.e., tailwind sports, riis cycling, etc….

"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind

by umwolverine on Jul 3, 2009 6:48 AM EDT reply actions

The Kazakhs got the license

Everything else, riders and equipement, belongs to Bruyneel. As far as I know.

Staring at the swim team gets you killed by a gang of dancing ninja men who know how to twirl.

by TheFigurehead on Jul 3, 2009 7:00 AM EDT up reply actions

at this point

I’m not sure of anything anymore.
but yes, that’s my understanding as well.

by rbjhan on Jul 3, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

vinosucks

by phantom_51 on Jul 3, 2009 7:47 AM EDT reply actions

it's inevitable

And I think even understandable. Why would Kazakh’s sponsor a team except to support Kazahks?

sometimes life is a false flat

by Willj on Jul 3, 2009 8:53 AM EDT reply actions

as long as conta goes elsewhere

"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind

by umwolverine on Jul 3, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions

Contratcs?

I would think that Bruyneel also has a contract with the sponsors/license holders. As I recall, he was basically retired when Astana came to him asking him to help the team recover from doping troubles. I would think Bruyneel had the upper hand in those negotiations to get some legal assurances about his job (and that of the staff and riders). All that is just a guess.

The other question I have is how much Vino will be welcome at the Vuelta? Doesn’t ASO have a strong interest in the Vuelta – they might not been keen on Vino participating.

by John.. on Jul 3, 2009 9:48 AM EDT reply actions