Tour de France winner Alberto Contador announced Wednesday that he would be leaving his Astana cycling team when his contract expires at the end of the current season.
The three times winner of the three week long cycling race, who has also won the Tours of Spain and Italy in his career, released a press statement explaining his decision.
"After winning the Tour de France in 2010, Alberto Contador will calmly study all of the possibilities which are offered for him to ride in the upcoming seasons and for the moment he has not ruled any of them out," reads the statement, before explaining his decision to leave his current team.
Astana team rider and Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain arrives for an official welcoming ceremony in his hometown of Pinto, outside Madrid, July 26, 2010. Contador won the Tour de France for the third time on Sunday.
"Given the importance of the decision, Contador had asked for time from those responsible for the team in order to study his continuity. Although the positions of both parties were not that far apart, the team wanted to know urgently whether or not they could count on him, so they could start to design their team for the 2011 season. As a result, both positions became more distant," it explains.
The Spaniard has spent three years with the Astana team, including the 2009 season which was an uncomfortable time for him with the return of seven times Tour winner Lance Armstrong.
The pair enjoyed an uneasy relationship during the time they were both in the Astana outfit, with Contador beating the American into third place in the Tour.
Contador has already been linked with various other teams, including the Danish Saxo Bank outfit, where he would replace Andy Schleck, who has announced he is forming a team with his brother Frank after finishing second in this year's Tour.
Youth 青春
体坛英语资讯:Mane back with a goal as Liverpool win, Spurs close on top-four spot
国内英语资讯:China supports development of new technologies in recovering from epidemic
国际英语资讯:UN chief reiterates global ceasefire appeal as world fights COVID-19
Loving Ones Country 爱国
国内英语资讯:Chinas control measures prevent tens of thousands of infections: spokesperson
国内英语资讯:Xi says China ready to support Indonesias fight against COVID-19
体坛英语资讯:Vlhova completes slalom World Cup hat-trick and overtakes archrival Shiffrin in her absence
国内英语资讯:U.S. attempts to pit CPC against Chinese people bound to fail: spokesperson
国内英语资讯:China to strengthen epidemic control along land border
国际英语资讯:Brazils COVID-19 death toll reaches 240, with 6,836 infected
My Story About Growing Up 我的成长故事
国际英语资讯:UN climate talks in Glasgow postponed until 2021 due to COVID-19
国内英语资讯:China to boost work resumption of geological disaster prevention projects
国际英语资讯:Erdogan, Putin discuss ways of cooperation against COVID-19
国际英语资讯:UNICEF commends China for its support to maternal, neonatal health services in Africa
国内英语资讯:Vice premier stresses reserve of emergency medical supplies
体坛英语资讯:MLS team Cincinnati head coach Jans resigns in wake of investigation over remarks
国内英语资讯:China, Ukraine ready to deepen cooperation to combat COVID-19: FMs
国际英语资讯:Turkish president warns of tighter measure if COVID-19 outbreak grows
体坛英语资讯:Analysis: Dortmunds unpleasant reunion with Tuchel
体坛英语资讯:Flamengo win maiden Brazilian Supercup
国际英语资讯:France reports 471 new COVID-19 deaths in hospitals
国际英语资讯:Confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide exceed 1 million -- Johns Hopkins University
全球新冠肺炎确诊病例破百万 美国占比超五分之一
国内英语资讯:Xi says China ready to help Belgium with medical supplies amid COVID-19 outbreak
国内英语资讯:Xi says China to increase assistance for Africas COVID-19 battle
体坛英语资讯:Leipzigs Werner sending top European clubs into frenzy
国际英语资讯:European economy devastated by pandemic as COVID-19 cases well pass 500,000
国际英语资讯:COVID-19 cases in U.S. top 250,000: Johns Hopkins University