Minutes ago Team Astana released the following statement announcing that Alberto Contador has declined the team's contract offer.

"We have learned through a statement issued by his press service, that Alberto Contador no longer wishes to ride for the Astana team with whom he won two Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and Tour Spain. For three years, the sponsor of Kazakhstan has offered him the best working conditions to enrich his record.

Alberto Contador himself had desired before the start of the Tour de France to find quickly an agreement to extend his contract with Team Astana. Our proposal was superior to the contract he had so far but it should be ratified as soon as possible to arrange for future season in the best conditions. Alberto Contador had himself called for this condition to pass a more serene off season.

By setting a dead line on July 25 evening of the arrival of the Tour de France and then extending it to 48 hours as he had requested, we thought we had complied with the wishes of Alberto Contador. We have never put any pressure, we have always acted according to his will.

His decision to leave does not depend on us but on other outside proposals. We respect his choice, and wish him good luck."

Analysts speculate that Alberto Contador will join Bjarne Riis' new team which will likely be called Team SunGard-Specialized if Specialized is announced as a new co-sponsor as expected. Other analysts speculate that Bjarne Riis' Team Saxo Bank will join forces with the current Cervelo TestTeam and be named Team Sungard-Cervelo for the 2011 season.

Bjarne Riis and Riis Cycling is in need of a new major challenger for the three major Tour - the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana - because Frank Schleck and Andy Schleck are expected to leave Riis for a new Luxembourg-based pro cycling team headed by Danes Kim Andersen and Brian Nygaard who've both jumped ship after formerly being associated with Team Saxo Bank.

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for more news about Alberto Contador's future endeavors and Bjarne Riis' team for 2011.

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