The financial problems between the management and sponsors of Team Astana have finally come to an end. It was reported by AFP that the Kazakh team is guaranteed to hold it’s ProTour license through the end of 2009 following an agreement between the two parties.
Astana’s Kazakh sponsors were under pressure from the International Cycling Union (UCI) to come up with a 6 million euro guarantee to cover rider salaries for the remainder of the year. The deadline had passed, and the team’s ProTour licesnse was threatened again just two weeks before the start of the Tour de France.
In a team press release last night the team indicated they had come to a resolution after a meeting with a representative from the Kazakh government and team sponsors.
“I appreciate every one’s patience and professionalism during this difficult period. With only 16 days to go to the Tour, our riders now need rest. We are pleased that we can continue with our strong team,” said team manager Johan Bruyneel.
This brings an end to tumultuous times for the world’s best Grand Tour team. “We now look forward to the next races. It will be a new start,” added the Belgian.