Several European news outlets are reporting this morning that Astana team management have offered Alberto Contador a new contract with an annual salary of eight million euros (that's nearly $12m USD,... For the full story, go to http://www.bikeworldnews.com Read Full Story

Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will remain with the Astana team at least until his contract expires at the end of next year, an official with the Kazakh Cycling Federation said Thursday. The Spaniard's future with Astana has been unclear for months amid persistent doubts about the Kazakh team's financial viability. "We have absolutely no problems with Alberto Contador, and he will compete with Astana next season," Kazakh Cycling Federation deputy president Nikolai Proskurin said. The International Cycling Union (UCI) had warned that Astana's financial troubles could endanger its chances of securing a new four-year license, prompting speculation that Contador — the world's ... Read Full Story

Lance Armstrong is going to gave to get past Alberto Contador if he hopes to pull off the miracle and win another Tour de France - and as of today, that doesn't seem very likely. Race leader Alberto Contador of Spain and Astana rides towards victory on stage 18 of the 2009 Tour de France, a 40km Time Trial around Lake Annecy, on July 7, 2009 in Annecy, France. (Getty Images) more pics » "Now I am more comfortable going ahead toward the GC," Alberto Contador said after the today's stage of the race. "This stage victory is very important for the overall. I ... Read Full Story

Kazakh cycling team Astana, still awaiting their ProTour licence, insisted Friday they are hopeful of keeping Tour de France champion Alberto Contador among their riders. Astana and four other teams - Caisse d'Epargne, Euskaltel, Saxo Bank and Sky - were on Thursday found lacking by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in their administration and financing. While the teams still have the possibility of putting their books in order to obtain a ProTour licence, their riders, including Contador, are free to break their contracts. The Kazakh federation, who are in charge of Astana's management, insisted however that the Spaniard was commited to the team until ... Read Full Story

French prosecutors have launched a preliminary investigation to examine syringes found in medical waste containers during the Tour de France. The case was opened after the discovery of several suspicious syringes in a container given by organizers to all the teams to collect medical waste, the Paris prosecutors office said Tuesday, on the eve of the 2010 Tour course unveiling. However, the office said it was not targeting a specific team from this year's tour, refuting a report by L'Equipe newspaper on Tuesday that said Astana was being investigated. "Astana Cycling Team is surprised to read in the French press that the team is ... Read Full Story