Astana keeps on going but releases Redondo

Everything seems to be "business as usual" at Team Astana, according to a team press release issued Wednesday morning. General Manager Marc Biver is bound to the team through 2010, the team will continue, and plans for the 2008 license are being followed. The team has also released Spanish rider José Antonio Redondo for violating team rules.

Recent statements by Biver, the UCI and Kazakh federation officials had indicated that there may be major changes in the team's structure and management for the coming year, if the team even were to receive another ProTour license.

In the press release, the executive board of the team declared, "The Swiss company Zeus Sàrl, managed by Marc Biver and acting as the financial responsible of Astana Cycling Team, fills his tasks which binds it to the Kazakh Cycling Federation in accordance with the contract which links the two parts until 2010. So far, no indication was given to the executive board of the Astana Cycling Team that the team would not continue its activities. In addition, the formalities for the UCI 2008 license are in hand."

In addition, the team has released rider Jose Antonio Redondo "for violating team rules," according to the Belgian website Sporza. The team refused to give any details or further comment. "That is also in the interest of Redondo himself." He has already been removed from the team's website, team-astana.ch.

The 22 year-old Spaniard worked as a domestique on the team. He finished second in the second stage of this year's Dauphiné Libéré.