All of your cycling news – January 4, 2010 Early Edition

January 3rd, 2010 by Al Fresco View Comments

In today’s cycling news, Lance Armstrong feels stronger than in 2009, Contador to start 2010 season in Portugal, Basso extends with Liquigas, another training accident and more….

Lance Armstrong told Het Nieuwsblad that he will be stronger in 2010 than he was last year, but says that he feels that he has to work harder than ever and cannot afford the luxury of resting that he could enjoy in years past.
Eddy Merckx thinks that Lance Armstrong will make a go at the Tour of Qatar this year.
Alberto Contador (Astana) will start his 2010 season at Portugal’s Tour of the Algarve. Levi Leipheimer (Radio Shack) is expected to kick off the year there as well.
Johnny Hoogerland and the Vacansoleil squad will open their 2010 season at January 31st’s GP d’Ouverture La Marseillaise.
Sebastian Forke will ride for the Nutrixxion-Sparkasse team in 2010.
Ivan Basso extended his contract with Liquigas through the end of 2012. He had received an offer from Saxo Bank, but decided to stay put. Some reports are saying that Saxo Bank did not have the budget to buy Liquigas out.
Brazilian Murilo Fisher (Liquigas in 2009) has signed with the Garmin-Transitions squad in 2010.
Team Sky will make their grand unveiling Monday morning in London. There will be a new Team Sky [www.teamsky.com] website as well. British sprinter Ben Swift (formerly Katusha) is expected to be at the team announcement and a pic of him in Sky kit has already been making the rounds.
Bradley Wiggins confirmed that he will be at the start line in Amsterdam for the 2010 Giro d’Italia. Wiggins used last year’s Giro as preparation for his strong showing at the Tour de France, but says that he will be looking for stronger showings at this year’s Giro.The Bengals’ Chad Ochocinco is the latest to try and earn a spot at Radio Shack’s training camp. He’s offering to show up with his Huffy ten speed and give it a go. Might be good for a laugh.
Tony Martin is the Athlete of the Year for German cycling site rad-net.de
Saxo Bank’s Jens Voigt is hoping to see on of the Schleck brothers atop the podium at the Tour de France, but says that Lance Armstrong should not be counted out and likely has a better chance than Carlos Sastre or Cadel Evans. Voigt added that he has no objection to the return of Ivan Basso and Alexandre Vinokourov, saying “You have to give the guys a chance.”
The Schleck brothers started out the year well. On HJanuary 1st, Frank Schleck was married to Martine Schmid in a ceremony in Mondorf, while Andy Schleck was named the Luxembourg Athlete of the Year.
Quick Step returns for 2010 with a smaller squad of 27 riders. New additions include Nikolas Maes (from Topsport Vlaanderen), Iljo Keisse (Topsport Vlaanderen) and Andreas Stauff (Kuota-Indeland). Departures were Sébastien Rosseler (Radio Shack), Dominique Cornu (Skil-Shimano), Hubert Schwab (Voralrberg-Corratec), Allan Davis (Astana) and Steven de Jongh (retirement).
Davide Frattini, expected to debut for Team Type 1 in 2010, fell during a training ride and broke his right collarbone.
The Nederlands Bloeit agricultural cooperative is the new title sponsor for Dutch world champion Marianne Vos. Vos’ new teammate is Suzanne de Goede, who returns to the team after two years at Equipe Nürnberger.