Klöden to stay with Astana

Andreas Klöden has ended the speculation about where he will ride in the coming season, saying that "after thinking about it for a long time and having discussions with various teams, I have decided to stay with Team Astana for another year." He added that he had therefore reached "an appropriate agreement" with Johan Bruyneel, the incoming team manager.

"I am happy that after all the uncertainty of the past few weeks, all the formalities with the sponsor and the new management have now been cleared up," he wrote on his personal website. "Now, I can finally dedicate myself to my profession again."

The 32 year-old lauded Astana's new anti-doping programme, which will be run by Rasmus Damsgaard, who is also behind CSC's anti-doping plan. Klöden, who finished second in the Tour de France in 2004 and 2006, added that the Tour de France was "of course my top goal. When my form is right, then I feel able to reach the podium at the Tour."

Meanwhile, the German will not participate in the team's first training camp in Javea, Spain. The meet will be held from December 10-18 on the Costa Blanca. A second camp will take place in Albuquerque, USA, from January 23-February 4, 2008.