Kazakhs pledge $22 million for Astana cycling team

Kazakhstan's state sovereign fund pledged $22 million in financial backing to the Astana cycling team Friday, ensuring the squad stays alive and Tour de France champion Alberto Contador remains in its ranks.

Astana's current racing license is due to expire at the end of next year, but recurring delays in paying salaries to riders have prompted the International Cycling Union to demand guarantees on the team's financial viability by this week.

"Samruk-Kazyna (state holding) has provided UCI with a guarantee of financial backing worth euro15 million ($22 million) for this season," Kazakh Cycling Federation deputy president Nikolai Proskurin said.

About $3.7 million has been transferred this week to the paying agency that handles team salaries, Proskurin added.

In a further symbolic gesture of state support for Astana, Samruk-Kazyna chairman Kairat Kelimbetov has been named as head of the country's cycling federation.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev has taken a personal interest in the fate of the team, which is seen as a prestige project for the Central Asian nation.

Astana is also in talks with an Italian telecommunications company over an additional sponsorship deal, Proskurin said.

The Kazakh-backed team says it has submitted all the necessary documentation to ensure it retains its license. A final decision by the UCI on the team's fate is imminent and is expected by early next week.

"If they deny us a license, they would put around 60 people out of work for absolutely no reason at all," Proskurin said.

Proskurin also denied media reports that Astana has offered to double Contador's contract to $12 million per year.

According to Proskurin, rumors about the Spanish rider's future with Astana have been orchestrated by former team manager Johan Bruyneel as an attempt to sow discord. Bruyneel parted ways with Astana in July amid an acrimonious dispute over the planned return of Kazakh rider Alexander Vinokourov.

Vinokourov was given a two-year ban for blood doping during the 2007 Tour de France, forcing Astana out of the competition.

Proskurin said Astana has been approached by a number of high-profile riders with offers to compete for the team beginning in 2011. He declined to provide any names, but expressed an interest in signing Italian rider Ivan Basso, currently with Liquigas, and expressed admiration for British rider Bradley Wiggins, who placed fourth at this year's Tour.

"I would have put all my money on him not coming in among the top 10," Proskurin said. "But he worked hard, and what he managed to achieve was amazing."

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.