Pozzato delays Katusha contract

By Gregor Brown in Saint Amand Montrond

Contrary to previous reports, Italian Filippo Pozzato has not finalised his contract with the newly formed Team Katusha. The 26 year-old cyclist explained Saturday morning at the Tour de France that he is reviewing the Russian team's contract offer, but has yet to ink the deal.

"I need to look over everything well now. Everyone is saying that I have already signed. I have not signed anything," Pozzato said to Cyclingnews.

The winner of the 2006 Milano-Sanremo will leave his current team, Liquigas, by the end of the season. He previously linked himself to the Katusha team during an interview with Rai television.

"I have to see that it is the right choice. There is a great chance, but the signature is not there – it is ninety percent there." The Katusha squad has not announced a new contract and the team's general manager, Stefano Feltrin, confirmed that the team would make an official announcement September 1.

Another name linked with Katusha is Belgium's Gert Steegmans. He and Pozzato would help create a formidable one-day race team. "My focus will be the Classics and I will try to be at my best there," said Pozzato.