Garmin-Slipstream boss Jonathan Vaughters has again denied claims that fledgling outfit Team Sky has bought out Bradley Wiggins' contract, enabling the British rider to move to the much-vaunted squad.
According to reports emanating from UK newspaper The Daily Mail, Team Sky has supposedly arranged a £2million compensation deal to lure Wiggins, who finished fourth in this year's Tour de France, to the British squad. The publication says that the deal was done, "to buy out his contract with Garmin Chipotle [sic]."
Garmin-Slipstream boss Jonathan Vaughters has categorically stated that there is no such arrangement, however. "Bradley Wiggins is under contract for 2010... that's the end of it," Vaughters told Cyclingnews.
The report further speculates that Garmin-Slipstream would then be able to complete the signing of double Tour de France champion Alberto Contador.
However, both Contador and the management of Team Astana have made it clear he has one year remaining on his contract with the Kazakh squad that the Spaniard intends to honour, making the move virtually impossible for Vaughters to complete, even if he wanted to.
Contador will make an appearance at today's stage of the Vuelta a España in La Granja de San Ildefonso to comment on the day's proceedings and make himself available for media questions. It's now likely the issue of his riding future will again be raised.
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