Spanish Pro Tour outfit Saunier Duval has made a bid for Oscar Freire, offering him a million-Euro contract according to a report from De Telegraaf. The triple world champion's contract with Rabobank expires at the end of this season, and Saunier Duval are keen to get a classics rider of Freire's calibre on the roster. "With Freire we want to strengthen our team for the spring,” said team manager Joxean Fernandez. "Oscar and I have been good friends for years; the interests are mutual but it's too early for a definitive decision yet,” he added.
Rabobank's team manager Theo de Rooij is aware of the interest Saunier Duval have in their man. "Two weeks ago Oscar and I sat down at the table,” said De Rooij recently, alluding to the conversation he also had with stage race hope Denis Menchov, whose contract is also up at the end of this season. "We want to have further talks with him [Menchov], possibly to negotiate a few issues surrounding the Tour the France,” he said.
