I heard some rumors about OPQS being interested in Contador, maybe. I was just wondering, what about Contador's contract? Does he still have a contract or does a suspension end all contracts? And what if Contador goes to for example OPQS, will Saxo remain ProTour?
Based on comments from Contador + brother i think Contador will race Vuelta for Saxo Bank. Next year? Depends if he can keep his WorldTour points if he gets any before the end of the season. I think Riis will go to CAS with that rule and try to get it changed.
Edited by siwi on 28-05-2012 15:09
Agree with Siwi. However, what happens in 2013 is still very unclear.
First of all, Saxo Bank has not yet agreed to extend its sponsorship, so for the time being, Team Saxo Bank is without a major sponsor in 2013.
Second, there's the World Tour license issue. So far, the team is dead-last in the World Tour ranking. While it isn't equivalent to the sporting criteria that UCI uses, it's still symbolic of Saxo Bank's lack of wins and points this season.
This can have several outcomes - all of course depend on the team getting a sponsor.
If the sponsorship value is the same and the team keeps Contador, it can't afford to sign riders with points and thus won't be able to get enough points to stay in the World Tour.
In that scenario, would Contador want to ride for a Pro Continental team? Even if it doesn't have any actual importance (with Contador on the team, Saxo would most likely be able to get a wild card for Tour de France anyway), I'm sure it'd annoy some riders, perhaps also Contador.
In another scenario, the team decides to part ways with Contador - but where would that leave Saxo Bank, the current sponsor? Let me remind you that the company once withdrew its sponsorship and only came back on board when it was told that Contador would sign. Is Saxo Bank interested in sponsoring a team without Contador?
Anyway, this is more about Saxo Bank's sponsor situation than about Contador. To stay on topic, I believe Contador will complete the 2012 season for Saxo Bank, then sign with Movistar for 2013.
Personally, I think Saxo Bank can't do without Contador. Right now, there are ProCont teams who are performing (much) better than Saxo Bank. Contador will probably go back to Saxo Bank for the Vuelta, but I don't know what will happen if/when they lose their license (like CrueTrue says, it annoys some riders), and I think Contador would want to ride for a ProTour team. Not sure though
