Velochimp: Astrochimp on Cycling

Igor Astarloa might be on his way back to Lampre after a few years in cycling’s neather region. Astarloa as you may remember was World Champ in 2003 (Velochimp was there in Hamilton to see him win). He quickly succumbed to the curse of the rainbow jersey when his Cofidis team had some serious doping related issues. This lead to the Cofidis management suspending their own team from competing during the spring classics which were Astarloa’s primary goal for the year. Cofidis were able to release Igor from his contract and allow him to transfer to another team. A quick move to Lampre was not done in time and the World Champ could not get many results in 2004. The next year Igor was left out of the contract shuffle, and he joined the smaller Barloworld Team. He has been riding for the tiny South-African-Italian team since which has kept him out of his beloved Belgian Classics. Now Lampre are ready to take him back. Astarloa is holding himeself back a bit trying not to completely jump on the offer and pretenting to “mull it over” for a few days. Igor, just sign already!
BiciRace.com :: News :: November 2005