Discovery Channel team manager Johan Bruyneel is set to take over a similar job at the dope-plagued Astana pro cycling team.
For those keeping score, four cyclists — Alexander Vinokourov, Andrey Kashechkin, Eddy Mazzoleni and Matthias Kessler — on Astana were implicated in doping allegations last year. Astana left the 2007 Tour de France in disgrace after the charges against Vinokourov.
Bruyneel was sought out to use his wit and wiles to win some trophies for the Kazakhstan-based cycling team, as well as implement anti-doping measures employed in 2007 by Team CSC.
As team manager of the Tailwind Sports team sponsored by Discovery Channel and previously the US Postal Service, Bruyneel helped win eight Tours de France over a nine-year period.
American Lance Armstrong won seven straight from 1999 through 2005 and Alberto Contador won in 2007. Teammate Levi Leipheimer of the US finished 3rd in 2007. Tailwind decided not to continue its hunt for a sponsor a couple of months ago.
Contador and Leipheimer both are considered signing with Astana, according to VeloNews. Among other former Discovery team members, George Hincapie went to T-Mobile and Tom Danielson went to Slipstream.
Meanwhile, Leipheimer has registered to ride the Tour of Marin next Sunday, Oct. 21. The half-century is a fund-raiser for the scholarship program at Marin Country Day School. Although limited to 200 riders who can sustain a moderate pace, the ride hasn't capped out yet. Cost is $200 (that might be why).
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