Astana to learn ProTour fate

The Astana team will know the fate of its ProTour license by November 20, according to tuttobiciweb. The Kazakh team, which has had three doping positives this season faced having its ProTour license withdrawn for violations of the ProTour code of ethics. After Matthias Kessler was found positive for testosterone, Alexander Vinokourov and Andrey Kashechkin tested positive for blood transfusions, forcing the team out of the Tour de France and sending the team into a voluntary hiatus.

The troubles forced the departure of manager Marc Biver, who was replaced by the retired/un-retired Discovery Channel director, Johan Bruyneel. Bruyneel should be able to resurrect the reputation of the team by bringing Tour winner Alberto Contador and third place finisher Levi Leipheimer, as well as the addition of director Alain Gallopin, formerly a director with Team CSC.