Before Spaniard Alberto Contador made his decision to stay with the Astana team for 2010, Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere was one of the people working hard to bring the two-time Tour de France winner to their team. And while things didn’t work out between the two for 2010, Lefevere has decided to throw his hat in the ring early for Contador’s services when his one year contract runs out with the Kazakh team.
“After next season, the climber from Pinto is on the market, just like half of the riders will be. Therefore I will work on a possible transfer,” explained Lefevere to hln.be, adding that the four spots on the team, one for Contador and three for teammates of his choosing, will remain available for the time being.
Lefevere said that he had the impression that Contador’s negotiations with Quick Step went very well, so he thinks his team will be the first place the Spaniard looks when it comes to finding a home from 2011 onward.
Quick Step’s continued interest in Contador demonstrates that there are no hard feelings with respect to the team’s former bike sponsor Specialized following the rider to the Astana team. The Belgian team is now riding Eddy Merckx bicycles, and aside from being unable to sign Contador, indicated that they were happy with how things worked out at the time. If Contador does make the switch come 2011, it is unclear what will happen to his sponsorship with Specialized.