Merckx says Contador with Astana through 2012

Eddy Merckx told the audience at the Gerrit Plieger Cycle Show that Alberto Contador has signed a contract for two additional seasons with Astana.

The last stumbling block, of course, is Astana’s Pro Tour license. That question should be answered by Friday, when the UCI is expected to announce whether the Kazakh-based team has been able to meet all financial and adminstrative requirements. According to Alexandre Vinokourov, teammate of Contador, it will not be a problem.

Vinokourov has also stated that he’ll defer to Contador and that his primary in 2010 will be the Giro, as Contador will go for a repeat at the Tour de France.

Tags: alberto contador, alexandre vinokourov, astana, eddy merckx, pro tour, The Tour