Contador poised to stay at Astana

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has reached a preliminary deal to stay with the Astana team until the end of next year, it has been announced.

He had spoken to rival teams after a successful but troubled year, marred by cash problems and a tense relationship with former team-mate Lance Armstrong.

On Friday the team should hear if it has a ProTour licence for next year.

Astana are the subject of a preliminary investigation after suspect medical material was seized during the Tour.

Reports in France claimed that syringes and transfusion equipment believed to belong to teams including Astana were found in medical waste containers during the race, but Astana have denied they are one of the teams involved.

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on Contador and Astana

And Contador insisted he had nothing to worry about, saying: "Astana was the Tour's most scrutinised team.

"I heard they were looking into our waste but I'm absolutely relaxed."

In the summer, Contador and seven-time Tour winner Armstrong made little effort to hide their dislike for one another, despite being team-mates.

Contador said his relationship with Armstrong was "zero", with the American hitting back saying the 26-year-old "had a lot to learn".

Armstrong added: "If I were him I'd drop this drivel and thank his team. Without them he doesn't win."

Armstrong has now set up his own outfit, Team Radio Shack, with his long-standing manager Johan Bruyneel and two of Astana's top riders, compatriot Levi Leipheimer and German Andreas Kloden, set to follow him.