Frenchman Christophe Moreau has been riding better than all of his countrymen in this year's Tour de France. The Credit Agricole rider was as high as third overall in the race and has been sitting inside the top ten ever since. But he is feeling pretty unappreciated of late, following the news that his team is one of those bidding for the signature of Alexandre Vinokourov.
Moreau poured out his frustration in Thursday's issue of L'Equipe, saying that he feels "deceived" by team manager Roger Legeay. According to him, things seemed hunky dory on the Tour's first rest day, but since then all has not been well.
"I began talking about my contract with Roger Legeay on the first rest day in Grenoble," he said. There, he talked to me about continuing while I expressed my loyalty to a team where I have felt at home for four years. On the second rest day I brought up the subject again but Roger Legeay had become more evasive."
Moreau says that it is not easy to get a straight answer out of his directeur sportif. "Roger Legeay is somebody who has a strong character and with whom dialogue is not always easy. This lack of communication and this stalling in the negotiations shows this to be true. It makes me think that the arrival of Alexandre Vinokourov is a realistic possibility."
Moreau is 34 years old but has no intention of retiring yet. He says that he's had contact with several teams but prefers the thought of staying with Credit Agricole. However, even if he is offered a new deal there, he says that being on the same team as Vinokourov is not a realistic option. "The arrival of Vinokourov would be an ejector seat for me," he stated, rather bluntly.
