anish media reported Wednesday that current Tour de France winner Alberto Contador was close to signing with Astana. Along with Contador would come Johan Bruyneel in a management role. Both Bruyneel and Contador are free to find new teams effective December 31, when their current Discovery Channel team comes to an end.

Contador told EFE Radio that his negotiation with the "new" Astana will surely be "closed shortly. It is an option that I like [very] much. It is very possible that it [Team Astana] is going to be my destiny," said Contador .

The 24 year-old climber had many offers from Spanish squads, but he said, "Not all these squads can support economically the acquisition of many riders of [a] high level. It is not enough just to want [me]."

Contador indicated the presence of Belgian Bruyneel, who has been long-time team director in the Discovery Channel, is decisive in the Spaniard's decision-making. Referring to his own and Bruyneel's opinions of Contador's future chances at Astana, the Spaniard said, "We have mutual confidence, and I believe that it is the best option for me."

The Spanish paper MARCA indicated the deal was accepted by Bruyneel and Contador but was still awaiting final signatures of other parties. One potential obstacle to the deal is that an arrangement must be reached with current manager Marc Biver who is under pressure after top riders like Andrey Kasheschkin and Alexandr Vinokourov tested positive this season while the team was under Biver's tenure.

"We want a different Astana," said Contador, "with a new and different sporting structure. There are two riders who want to come with me: the Spaniard Benjamín Noval and the Portuguese Sergio Paulinho." Contador intends to start from ground zero with the team. "We are going to speak with the organizers and with the UCI." Another rider rumored to be headed to Astana is Levi Leipheimer.

The rider born in Pinto was not yet ready to talk about his racing calendar for 2008. Contador only said, "It would be very similar to this year." However, he said it may not include the Vuelta a España in September. "The Olympic Games in Beijing will take place only ten days after the Tour de France, and in this sense, I could take advantage of going to the Olympics with my form from the Tour."


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