Pereiro returns to Tour Down Under with Astana

Alberto Contador, Alexander Vinokourov and Oscar Pereiro at the Astana training camp.

Alberto Contador, Alexander Vinokourov and Oscar Pereiro at the Astana training camp. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Spain's Oscar Pereiro will form part of Astana's line-up at the Tour Down Under next month. Speaking at the team's training camp in Pisa, Italy, Pereiro said that he would return to racing early in 2010 after a difficult year.

"I raced at the Tour Down Under this year and the number of people watching the race really impressed me. It's incredible, especially the opening criterium," said Pereiro, 32.

The 2006 Tour de France winner has not raced since abandoning the Tour this year due to exhaustion. He said an early start to the season would be important in order to allow him build his form before helping teammate Alberto Contador at the Tour.

"The last years few years have been hard for me, I worked really hard to return after the crash at the 2008 Tour," continued Pereiro. "I was too tired at this year's Tour, in both my mind and my body. I didn’t like cycling at that point. But after three months at home I started to think, 'Cycling is my life' and I didn’t want to leave the sport by abandoning the Tour."

Astana announced Tuesday that Pereiro would join the team. He leaves Caisse d'Epargne after four years and the Tour de France win, his last win. Before Astana and Pereiro finalised the contract, Pereiro considered retirement and talked about becoming an actor. He has postponed his decision on retirement, but still considers acting as a possible career in the future.

"When I’m on the reality shows all the people tell me that I am talented and I do well. I need at least one more year before I decide what I’ll do after I stop racing."

Pereiro leaves the Astana training camp Wednesday. While at the training camp he met all his 2010 teammates, and received his new clothing and Specialized bicycle.

 

The 2009 Cyclingnews reader poll

You can still enter the 2009 Cyclingnews reader poll and vote for your riders, teams, races, moments, equipment and photos of the year.

One lucky reader will win an Argon18 Krypton bike so get your entries in before the closing date - December 31, 2009.

Thank you for reading 5 articles in the past 30 days*

Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read any 5 articles for free in each 30-day period, this automatically resets

After your trial you will be billed £4.99 $7.99 €5.99 per month, cancel anytime. Or sign up for one year for just £49 $79 €59

Join now for unlimited access

Try your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1