Astana playing hardball with Contador?

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Interesting e-mail just arrived. It says that the cycling team Astana, the one where 2009 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador and recently unretired and seven-time former Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong were very uneasy teammates during last month’s Tour, is expecting Contador to fulfill the third year on his three-year contract next season.

Here’s the statement:

In order to clarify some misunderstandings reported in the media, the Astana Cycling Team Management reconfirms that 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is expected to ride for Team Astana in 2010. Prior to the 2008 season, Contador signed a three-year contract with Team Astana, ensuring that the rider will represent the Kazakh-sponsored team for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010. ‘Rinus Wagtmans, official spokesperson for the Kazakh authorities, emphasizes that the Kazakh sponsor are excited about the future of Team Astana. Our sponsors are keen to continue with the team at least until the end of 2013. It is clear that Alberto Contador will be our absolute leader of the team for next season. We are surprised to read that many other teams have reportedly shown their intention to engage our Tour winner when he remains under contract. A transfer is not negotiable and we will honor the signed contract. We look forward to more victories from Alberto in 2010.’

Armstrong has already announced his plans to ride for newly formed, American-based Team RadioShack and Astana team director Johan Bruyneel, who helped Armstrong win his seven Tours and Contador win two French Tours plus a Giro d’Italia and Spanish Vuelta, will likely join Armstrong at Radio Shack.

It has been rumored that Contador might sign with another U.S. team, Garmin-Slipstream or with the Spanish team Caisse d’Epargne.

Astana was formed in 2007 by Tour de France podium finisher Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan and funded by the country. Vinokourov was shortly afterward suspended for two years for doping violations. The team was banned from the 2008 Tour de France even though Vinokourov was gone and Bruyneel had taken over. Vinokourov made his competitive return last week and even won a stage at the Tour de l’Ain

When Armstrong came out of retirement in September, he rejoined Bruyneel, his longtime mentor, on Astana and it was never smooth going between Contador and Armstrong.

With Vinokourov determined to return to the top levels of cycling now that his suspension is over and he has rejoined the team, it seemed unlikely that Contador would want to be part of more drama, and there certainly will be some.

Vinokourov started Astana, was responsible for its initial funding and certainly, if Vinokourov -- once considered an overall contender for the Tour de France after Armstrong’s retirement -- wants to lead the team, then Contador might be in another situation where he will have to fight for his place as team leader.

Also, Contador lost the chance to defend his 2007 Tour de France victory when Astana was banned from the 2008 race as punishment for Vinokourov’s doping problems. Contador certainly doesn’t want to share in more punishment if the 2010 Tour banned Astana again because Vinokourov is back.

Last month Contador lost Portuguese rider Sergio Paulhino, who had been considered the one Astana rider loyal to him and not Armstrong. Paulhino has signed with, yes, Radio Shack.

-- Diane Pucin