More RadioShack transfers confirmed

Andreas Klöden (Astana) hits the brakes after crossing the finish line in 9th place.

Andreas Klöden (Astana) hits the brakes after crossing the finish line in 9th place. (Image credit: Sirotti)

It is confirmed: After the signing of Levi Leipheimer and Sergio Paulinho to the new American team RadioShack - built around Lance Armstrong - more Astana riders are  to leave the Kazakh squad to continue their support of the seven-time Tour de France winner next year.

Andreas Klöden, a podium contender himself, as well as Yaroslav Popovych and Gregory Rast will follow team manager Johan Bruyneel, who negotiated their way out of the contract binding them to Astana for one more year yesterday evening, after attending the 2010 Tour de France presentation in Paris.

Bruyneel sat down with Kazakh officials to sign the deal finally opening the way for him and the other three riders to join Armstrong for a new adventure.

Haimar Zubeldia, whose name had also been linked to RadioShack for next year, will however remain under Astana colours. Team leader Alberto Contador, according to L'Equipe, demanded that at least one of his teammates remain with him during his last year racing for the Kazakh squad.

Astana, as well as RadioShack, will thus be able to present their 2010 structures to the UCI in the coming days, both applying for ProTour status. Finally, it will be Yvon Sanquer that will become the new team manager of the team around Alexandre Vinokourov and Contador, while Bruyneel will manage RadioShack together with directors Alain Gallopin, Viatcheslav Ekimov and Dirk Demol, all of which follow him to RadioShack from Astana.

Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed

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