Road Racing News – April 16, 2009

Here’s the latest in cycling news from BikeWorldNews.com:

• The Kazakh cycling federation has assured Alberto Contador and the rest of the Astana team that they will get paid this month. The organization was having difficulty getting payments from the team’s sponsors. There is some suspicion that the team may be looking for a new sponsor. Team Livestrong, anyone?
• Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre will race in the six-day Tour de Romandie this month in preparation for the Giro d’Italia. Sastre’s Cervelo Test Team requested the Romandie invitation, race organizers said Wednesday. Cervelo will join BMC and the 18 Pro Tour teams in the race through French-speaking southern Switzerland April 28-May 3.
• Kim Kirchen will return to defend his title at next Wednesday’s Fleche Wallone, but advises against betting on him. “My form is still not good enough.” Kirchen skipped Wednesday’s Scheldeprijs and will pass on the Amstel Gold Race as well.
• Gert Steegmans rode the Scheldeprijs and continues to recover. “I’m satisfied, it was better than expected,” he told the Gazet van Antwerpen. “And I had no pain.”
• Rock Racing DS Rudy Pevenage says that illegal transfusions in Vienna were an “open secret”
• It’s still 15 months away, but Rotterdam is gearing up for hosting the prologue of the 2010 Tour de France.
• Austria has implemented a stepped up anti-doping program that they hope will address recent scandals in the country. The tests will be added to checks carried out during and outside competitions. Athletes and volunteers will submit to undertake two blood tests a month. Checks will include blood profiles and hormone checks as in the biological passport of the International Cycling Union.

Tags: alberto contador, astana, BMC, Carlos Sastre, cervelo, cycling, Gert Steegmans, kim kirchen, Livestrong, Rotterdam, Rudy Penvenage, Scheldeprijs, Vienna