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Contador crowned season’s top cyclist updates

by asimepd | December 15, 2009 at 02:44 pm

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Tour de France champion Alberto Contador was presented with the trophy for rider of the year by International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid.

The presentation took place in Madrid. Prize for the national cycling organisation of the year went to the Spanish National Cycling Federation (RFEC). Contador remains with Kazakh-funded Astana team for 2010 despite threatening to leave and opening negotiations with several other leading teams.

Seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong has formed a new team, RadioShack, for next season after he and Contador clashed over the role of team leader while riding for Astana in the 2009 Tour. Contador said last week that his only focus this year would be on the Tour de France because of the lack of experienced riders at Astana following Armstrong’s departure, although Spain’s 2006 Tour de France winner Oscar Pereiro signed a one-year deal earlier this week.
Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan has returned to the Astana team after serving a two-year ban for blood doping but he and Contador will ride separate race programmes until July.