Contador announces that he will be leaving Astana

[palincss]

I'd like to buy Mike some vowels, Alex.

You mean, like Operation Vowel Drop back in the 90s?

Operation Vowel Drop

CLINTON DEPLOYS VOWELS TO BOSNIA

Cities of Sjlbvdnzv, Grzny to Be First Recipients

Before an emergency joint session of Congress yesterday, President Clinton announced US plans to deploy over 75,000 vowels to the war-torn region of Bosnia. The deployment, the largest of its kind in American history, will provide the region with the critically needed letters A,E,I,O and U, and is hoped to render countless Bosnian names more pronounceable.

"For six years, we have stood by while names like Ygrjvslhv and Tzlynhr and Glrm have been horribly butchered by millions around the world," Clinton said. "Today, the United States must finally stand up and say `Enough.' It is time the people of Bosnia finally had some vowels in their incomprehensible words. The US is proud to lead the crusade in this noble endeavour."

The deployment, dubbed Operation Vowel Movement by the State Department, is set for early next week, with the Adriatic port cities of Sjlbvdnzv and Grzny slated to be the first recipients. Two C-130 transport planes, each carrying over 500 24-count boxes of "E's," will fly from Andrews Air Force Base across the Atlantic and airdrop the letters over the cities.

Citizens of Grzny and Sjlbvdnzv eagerly await the arrival of the vowels.

"My God, I do not think we can last another day," Trszg Grzdnjkln, 44, said. "I have six children and none of them has a name that is understandable to me or to anyone else. Mr. Clinton, please send my poor, wretched family just one `E.' Please."

Said Sjlbvdnzv resident Grg Hmphrs, 67: "With just a few key letters, I could be George Humphries. This is my dream."

The airdrop represents the largest deployment of any letter to a foreign country since 1984. During the summer of that year, the US shipped 92,000 consonants to Ethiopia, providing cities like Ouaouoaua, Eaoiiuae, and Aao with vital, life-giving supplies of L's, S's and T's.

--http://web.singnet.com.sg/~kwongsin/Joke201.htm

[csbmo]

levi loves following wheels ... maybe alberto will ride for him.

[DOOFUS]

he's the best stage racer of his generation and he deserves to get paid for it.

his team was shit and riding aggressivey for its own sake would have meant stupid risks. he won the fucking thing. bottom line.

caisse -- if the sponsorship future was secure and the spanish economy more healthy, it would be the logical choice as the organization of Delgado and Indurain. But Euros count for more than tradition. Maybe not the best option.

footon-servetto -- a lateral move. the team is worse than Astana, and unless they get a major injection of sponsorship cash they can't afford both Contador and a cast of better GT goons. it's hard to see this one.

riis -- would surround Contador with a solid collection of goons. organization would be first rate. would seem an automatic choice *if* he has a new sponsor that can meet the bills.

it's a shame that rabobank thinks that gesink is a real candidiate to win a GT. that could be a good situation for AC.

somebody will have the money he wants. someone else will have the supporting riders he needs. they will probably end up being different somebodies, however.

[benji]

I think he will go to the "Shack".

[henry g.]

This is another big question mark over both Contador and Schleck(s). The teams they bring to the Tour next year could have a big impact. Starting from scratch like the Schlecks are doing is risky. A Luxembourg team? outside of the Schleck brothers is there any other Luxemburger in the Peloton?

Maybe Riis who knows the Schlecks like no one else and has a well established structure in place would be a good move for Contador. Although it might be safer to just build on Astana. Maybe he's just using the statement to negotiate more money from the Kazaks for him and to bring in more support. Spain certainly has the firepower for a devastatingly good team but money is a big issue and with Spain killing it in Futbol, Tennis and F1 there is no shortage of sports for sponsors to put what little money there is into. Spain is right now a sports super power with no treasury to take advantage of it. Kind of like those aristocrats with no dough in a previous chapter of Spanish history.

Andy and Alberto are so close now that every move they make could impact their chances. It's like next years Tour has already begun.

[jonathanb]

I think he will go to the "Shack".

Not even if Bruyneel provides him a happy ending.

[Proparc]

First he gets mixed up with a Texan, then a Kazakhstani, now a Dane. For crying out loud, can’t this guy find anybody similar to himself. I mean, there has to be somebody in Pinto who can coach!

[Elefantino]

A good craftsman never blames his equipment.

[SteveP]

shack has inside track.
why?
they have the most money

[soBRIquet]

A good craftsman never blames his equipment.

Good point.
If they'd banned race radios and tv's as threatened last year, maybe he'd still be on Astana.
Or maybe he'd think of another excuse.

[velobran]

I think it was obvious he'd seek out other offers. Maybe a few teams will be able to come close to what Astana is offering. Or maybe he wants a change of scenery. Saxo Bank (Specialized/Sunguard) seems like the next major team out there that would pony up the cash since its free'd up from the Schlecks. Riis is probably a pretty damn good coach (anyone else watch Overcoming?)

[justinf]

I'd like to buy Mike some vowels, Alex.

All this indicates is a particular expertise in communicating with the younger ladies. I'm down with that guy MaineMick. He's from the Boonen school.

[ridethecliche]

shack has inside track.
why?
they have the most money

I doubt he'll work with bruneel again.

[vredstein]

What's the fingerbang gonna morph to if he moves to Servett-Footon?

The toejam.

[EricKeller]

i wnt more from this guy. i wnt risk and balls side by side wth talent. i wnt aggression. looks like he can run the bulls for the nxt few yrs, i wnt gore.

mainemike has been partially disemvoweled.

[DOOFUS]

apparently neil stephens gets on with bertie -- and neil just went to sky, who have cash and are looking for a legit GT rider...interesting....

[jonathanb]

apparently neil stephens gets on with bertie -- and neil just went to sky, who have cash and are looking for a legit GT rider...interesting....

it has been stated in at least one article that Sky has no interest in Contador but I suspect that's not quite true as any team with even a remote chance to sign him would have to seriously consider doing so.

[Chance Legstrong]

This is another big question mark over both Contador and Schleck(s). The teams they bring to the Tour next year could have a big impact. Starting from scratch like the Schlecks are doing is risky. A Luxembourg team? outside of the Schleck brothers is there any other Luxemburger in the Peloton?

Schlecks- just because they are licensing the team in Lux doesn't mean anything. It's actually going to be backed by a French Grocer- Aucheron(sp). They won't be building from scratch. It's Saxo part deaux.
Riis Contador- this makes sense. Riis (bike toss and all) knows how to coach and manage a team. He gets Spanish riders and he gets the most out of all of his riders. Plus there is the Specialized connection for which 'Bert has a personal contract with.
The shack-- until Operation Ball Gate gets sorted out I think it is too risky of a move to do anything with Bruyneel. Even though if you read between the lines throughout the year it seems that JB and Bert have healed their relationship to a manageable one rather than Bert being enemy #1. Still too risky to tarnish the "Finger's" image aligning with JB.

[e-RICHIE]

Schlecks- just because they are licensing the team in Lux doesn't mean anything. It's actually going to be backed by a French Grocer- Aucheron(sp). They won't be building from scratch. It's Saxo part deaux.

any known names coming across - and will this be a GT team or will it have any riders who can win the rest of the season atmo?

[Chance Legstrong]

any known names coming across - and will this be a GT team or will it have any riders who can win the rest of the season atmo?

Sounded as if:
Breschel (1day winner-classics)
Sorenson-1
Sorenson-2 (both GT supporters)
The brothers Feillu, Brice and Romain(climbing support)

All that i "know" of late