[DRB]

http://www.velonews.com/article/75772/report-astana-may-get-giro-invite

The Italian sports newspaper, Gazetta dello Sport reported on Saturday that Giro d'Italia organizers may be ready to do an about-face and invite the Astana team to this year’s race.

The team of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was excluded by both the Giro and the Tour earlier this year, but according to reports published on Saturday, the team may be invited to the Giro, which starts on May 10.

The report claimed Astana’s participation would depend on the inclusion of Contador, American Levi Leipheimer and German ace Andreas Klöden, all three of whom have finished on the Tour de France podium.

Let's wait to the last f'ing minute.....

 

[DRB]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/may08/may04news

Astana officials confirmed that they are in process of getting GC contender and American Levi Leipheimer to Italy in time for the start. "It is a good moment for us," said Astana spokesman Philippe Maertens to the Associated Press. Reportedly, Leipheimer's team-mate and 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador will also be at the start in Sicily.

"We are hurrying now to arrange everything. We must have a truck and a bus down to Sicily - it is not the perfect preparation," Maertens said to the AP. "Levi was still in California and Alberto was on holiday in Spain because he had a dental operation two weeks ago. Everybody is happy."

From the Tour de Romandie, Astana's Andreas Klöden, who retained his yellow jersey with a margin of 35 seconds over Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) going into Sunday's final stage, was pleased with the news. "It's brilliant news and of course I'd volunteer to take part if it is confirmed," said Tour de France podium placer Kloeden to Reuters. "It's a big tour and I'm a big tour rider."

 

[maddog17]

they should have said thanks but no thanks. how can they get a fair prep with a week till the start?

 

[ire]

I'm glad they got invited, but that is really last minute

 

[James]

I'm glad they got invited, but that is really last minute

They're bringing a pretty strong team from what I see. If I were any of the other guys, I'd be a bit nervous...

I wonder if this will have any effect on ASO, as they still have room for 2 more teams...they'd have to eat a lot of crow though, and the French hate doing that.

 

[DRB]

I'd be shocked to see the ASO reverse course. The Giro people said all along it was more a function of not sending what they considered the best team in the past and not doping or anything else. The ASO on the other hand says its all about Astana's past eventhough its not even that team any more.

 

[James]

I'd be shocked to see the ASO reverse course. The Giro people said all along it was more a function of not sending what they considered the best team in the past and not doping or anything else. The ASO on the other hand says its all about Astana's past eventhough its not even that team any more.

I would too, but you never know with those Frenchies...

 

[OGRipper]

I have to believe the team was tipped off about this some time ago, and the talk of scrambling is a smoke screen. Either that or the team decided to be pretty much prepared just in case.

They will certainly be motivated to do well, and regardless of how they do, they will make the race more interesting.

 

[ire]

They will certainly be motivated to do well, and regardless of how they do, they will make the race more interesting.

I agree, they are coming with all of their top riders......I bet DiLuca is disappointed Soler will be there as well....the Giro is shaping up to look like last years Tour de France

<edit> Here is an article about Soler......has anyone heard what is going on with Rasmussen? Last I heard they were trying to sanction him and he didn't have a team
http://www.velonews.com/article/75871/soler-riding-for-stage-wins-or-the-jersey

 

[Heidi]

One more week to go!

 

[DRB]

21. Levi Leipheimer, (USA)
22. Alberto Contador Velasco, (ESP)
23. Vladimir Gusev, (RUS)
24. Antonio Colom Mas, (ESP)
25. Maxim Iglinskiy, (KAZ)
26. Dmitriy Muravyev, (KAZ)
27. Andrey Mizourov, (KAZ)
28. Andreas Kl&#214;den, (GER)
29. Assan Bazayev, (KAZ)
DS. Sean Yates

They honored the results from last year and gave Astana the 20's. Lots of vowels in those names.

 

[ire]

21. Levi Leipheimer, (USA)
22. Alberto Contador Velasco, (ESP)
23. Vladimir Gusev, (RUS)
24. Antonio Colom Mas, (ESP)
25. Maxim Iglinskiy, (KAZ)
26. Dmitriy Muravyev, (KAZ)
27. Andrey Mizourov, (KAZ)
28. Andreas KlÖden, (GER)
29. Assan Bazayev, (KAZ)
DS. Sean Yates

They honored the results from last year and gave Astana the 20's. Lots of vowels in those names.

Does that mean Levi is team captain?

 

[DRB]

Does that mean Levi is team captain?

I think Astana will play it just like last year's tour. Run'em all at the peleton and see who gets the lead and go from there. I'd think that the two would sacrifice for the one.