Justice minister, DGA chief discuss partnership to boost digital judicial services    Netanyahu does not rule out further strikes on Hamas leaders    US farmers are being squeezed – and it's testing their deep loyalty to Trump    Romania condemns 'irresponsible' Moscow after Russian drone breaches its airspace    Kirk's assassination is forcing US politicians to make difficult choices about their safety    India players refused handshakes, says Pakistan coach    Final stage of Spanish Vuelta cycling race abandoned after disruption by pro-Palestine protesters    Mané fires Al Nassr past Al Kholood to keep perfect start as Ronaldo honored    Lacazette brace earns NEOM SC first Saudi Pro League win    Adolescence star Owen Cooper makes Emmys history at 15    Saudi liquidity grows 8.4%, reaching SR3.1 trillion in July 2025    Over 434,000 people acquire first aid skills during nationwide health campaign    Saudi Arabia's legislative advancement highlighted at International Conference on Judicial Training    Sudden swerving among 3 major causes of accidents in Riyadh in 2024    Princess Haifa emphasizes pivotal Saudi role in shaping future of tourism    Sahm Capital names Saudi Olympian Fayik Abdi as brand ambassador    SR9000 fine for copyright infringement using AI    King Charles and Prince Harry finally reunite after 19 months apart    Anastacia: Arnold Schwarzenegger made me sing Whatta Man 12 times    Thousands pay their last respects to Giorgio Armani, private funeral on Monday    The key to happiness    Sholay: Bollywood epic roars back to big screen after 50 years with new ending    Ministry launches online booking for slaughterhouses on eve of Eid Al-Adha    Shah Rukh Khan makes Met Gala debut in Sabyasachi    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



I will remain Astana's top rider, asserts Contador
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 27 - 09 - 2008

Alberto Contador says the Astana cycling team has assured him that he will remain its leader despite the arrival of seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.
Contador said he will quit Astana if his position is not secure, adding he has received offers to join other ProTour teams.
“The team has given me guarantees that I will be the leader but I want the fullest guarantees possible,” the 2007 Tour de France winner was quoted as saying by sports daily Marca on Friday.
Armstrong announced Wednesday he was joining Astana, reuniting him with his former team leader and close friend Johan Bruyneel.
Armstrong said Thursday he doesn't expect to be team leader if he's not the best rider, adding that Bruyneel will make that decision.
Contador, who is under contract with Astana until 2010, said he would only stay if he felt the team was riding for him and not Armstrong. “Everyone knows that Lance has a big personality and he dominates everything,” Contador said. “Under no circumstances do I want my sporting aims to be halted by his arrival. I have to see what aims Armstrong has, what his attitude will be and if Bruyneel is counting on him for the Tour.”
The Madrid-born rider won the Spanish Vuelta earlier this month to complete the fastest sweep of the three major races. Contador has won the Vuelta, the Tour and the Giro d'Italia in 15 months.
Armstrong, meanwhile, has said that he would race in the February 14-22 Tour of California.
He said: “I said (on Wednesday) I was going to participate in the Tour Down Under (in Australia at the end of January) and the Tour de France (in July). I can now add that after the race in Australia, I'll get back into training and then race in the Tour of California.”
Armstrong isn't either ruling out competing in the Giro d'Italia for the first time next year. “I only told you the races I will enter, therefore I don't exclude it,” Armstrong said in Thursday's sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport. “The next Giro is the 100th anniversary and I know how important it is for the ‘tifosi' (Italian for ‘fans').”
The 2009 Giro is scheduled for May 9-31. The Tour de France starts July 4. “If I'm able to involve your prime minister (Silvio) Berlusconi in the fight against cancer and some other things line up, who knows, it could be the right year to come you're way,” Armstrong said. “Also, (Giro director Angelo) Zomegnan is a very dear friend.”
Armstrong has continually claimed his comeback was to raise awareness of cancer through his “Livestrong” cancer prevention campaign.


Clic here to read the story from its source.