What? It's over? But we were having so much fun. Today, Alberto Contador put an end to the speculation about his future team, and announced that he will race for Saxo Bank until 2015. "I think it is the best choice for me," he said over on Twitter. Riis, he does not mess around with the contracts. Three years! Contador returns to racing when his doping suspension ends on 5 August.
"A lot of speculations and rumors have surrounded Alberto Contador and his future in the past months, but both our sponsors, the team and Alberto have shared the same wish to continue and build on our relationship. All along throughout these last two tough years we have stood by Alberto, so to be able to announce his return to the team is something I have been really looking forward to. Now we can put an end to these speculations and start focusing on building the team for the coming years," team owner Bjarne Riis says.
But Bjaaarrnneee, we were having fun with the speculations! Such a spoilsport. Recent rumors had linked Contador with any number of teams and ginned up bizarre trades and mergers involving Contador, Riis, Bruyneel, and the Schleck brothers. All that is done now, and the story has come to a very predictable ending.
When the arbitration court announced Contador's suspension, Riis and Contador held a joint press conference, and though the rules prevented them from confirming any future contract, it was fairly clear that Riis hoped to resign Contador after his suspension ended. In today's press release, Contador said that returning to the team was always "his first priority" and he said he was grateful for the support Riis had offered during the long-running doping arbitration.
No, I really can't do it. I can't run a link to Reunited two days in a row. I'll just be here thinking it.