Luis León Sanchez wants to continue with Astana

By Antonio J. Salmerón

At the beginning of this week, Luis León Sánchez will travel to Italy, where he will meet with Alexander Vinokourov. León Sánchez wants to know about his professional future in Astaná, with his contract with Active Bay due to finish at the end of 2008. The Spanish rider is free to negotiate, and Discovery Channel, T-Mobile and Caisse d’Epargne have already showed their interest in him.

"I have freedom to negotiate my departure, or my continuity. I have still not decided," said the Spanish rider. "Astaná is not the only one interested in me, but it takes priority in my decision. Bruyneel spoke with me, but also T-Mobile and Caisse d’Epargne. The most interesting offer could be the Discovery Channel one, but I have to talk to Astaná before taking a decision.

"I am looking for an offer that convinces me. Without knowing the future of Astaná, I cannot decide on which offer is the best. I realise that the Astaná offer is very interesting for me, because it improves my current contract."