Fears grow over Astana future

The future of Lance Armstrong’s Astana team is in doubt as the global recession continues to bite.

The International Cycling Union are “concerned” and are monitoring developments after riders in the Kazakhstan-based team run by Johann Bruyneel, Armstrong’s mentor in his unprecedented run of seven Tour de France victories, went unpaid earlier this year.

The Kazakh cycling federation, which owns the team, overcame the shortfall from sponsors in order to pay the riders, but the team’s financial predicament has become more precarious with some sponsors reportedly reluctant to commit, leading some reports to suggest the UCI could withdraw their professional racing licence.

The UCI hope to avoid that sanction, but president Pat McQuaid will travel to the city of Astana in Kazakhstan later this month to discuss the matter and try to find a resolution.

McQuaid’s trip to central Asia was already planned, but the team’s financial situation will now top the agenda.

“He (McQuaid) will take the opportunity to talk about that, because we are concerned,” Enrico Carpani, the UCI’s chief press officer, said.

Astana are among the starters of the Giro d’Italia, which begins in Venice on Saturday, but doubts remain whether Armstrong, fellow American Levi Leipheimer and Spaniard Alberto Contador – the champion in the 2007 Tour de France, the 2008 Giro d’Italia and the 2008 Vuelta Espana – will appear in the same guise for the 2009 Tour de France, which begins in Monaco on July 4.

A team spokesman was adamant the issue can be resolved.

Philippe Maertens said: “For the moment, there is no problem. If the sponsors pay again, nothing is definitely lost.

“They are late with their payment – it’s not a disaster yet.

“It’s not that the team doesn’t exist anymore or is going to stop existing. It’s too early to say something.”

If the sponsors fail to stump up the required revenue Bruyneel’s team have a number of options which should see them able to continue – to find another title sponsor or drop the name and compete under the flag of another country, much like the Brawn GP Formula One team.

“It’s too early to say and very complex,” added Maertens.

The UCI are also awaiting developments.

“We have to wait and see what’s happening in the coming days,” added Carpani.

After a three-year absence, Armstrong, who survived cancer earlier in his career, returned to elite cycling this year to promote his Livestrong campaign and the battle against the illness.

The 37-year-old American is in some ways immune to Astana’s financial plight as he does not receive a salary from the team, relying on his long-term sponsors such as Nike, Oakley and Trek.