Astana might have a relaxing time in July!

Astana is not invited. The ASO (owner of the Tour De France) stated today that Astana would not be invited to any ASO event it organizes for the 2008 season. It stated that the "damage caused by this team in the TDF and cycling in general, as much in 2006 as 2007" is the reason. They went on to say that it would be inapropriate to allow the team to compete dispite a complete shake up of the teams management and the squads roster. WHAT? Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for doping during the 2007 tour. He denied doping and retired from the sport. Andrej Kashechkin tested positive during an out of competition testing August 1, 2007 and is not on the team.

ASO is saying that it does recognize the reorganization of the team but the team still needs to prove themselves since the team had been reorganized in 2006. They did however say that basically if Astana can stay out of scandals and suspicions that it would consider a bid from them for future events.......UGH.

Johan Bruyneel was not happy and would not make much of a comment, Levi Leipheimer will not speak about it until the press conference for the Tour of California, Alberto Contador (who has been linked to Operation Puerto but cleared then suspicion then cleared...OH GOD who can keep track of this anymore) heard the news during a race and took off like a so called "bat out of hell" to be later swallowed up by the peloton. He was very upset and shouted at a Spanish TV camera at the finish of the race "Astana, en el Tour!"

I guess time will tell..............again we will have to see how the year unfolds!