Teams react to Astana ban

Jonathan Vaughters (Team Slipstream)

"It's such a multi-faceted and difficult situation to fully understand. We as teams, the media, and the public don't even get to see a glimpse of all the information that went into this decision. I think because of this complexity and uncertainty, ASO is just taking a 'wait and see' attitude with Astana, not condemning them. I don't think the decision is prejudiced or permanent, its just ASO allowing some time to pass before reassessing the situation."

"By hiring Dr. Damsgaard, I really feel Johan has made a good faith effort to help change things in cycling. Its nice to see - and I hope this latest news will not discourage him from continuing. And I know that Rasmus will do the best possible job. I'm guessing ASO just wants to see the fruits of this effort, first. So, I think Astana will be back in the fold soon.

"A lot has happened in cycling these last couple of years and everyone is trying to solve the problems in different ways. I just hope it all works out."

Hendrik Redant (Silence-Lotto)

"It is hard for those guys. I know that Bruyneel has done a lot of work to clean up the team, so this must come as a blow to them I bet. It must be tough to have worked so hard only to see all that work come to nothing."

"There is a positive and a negative to every story, and the positive for us is that we have lost two of our biggest competitors for the Tour. The problem is it will now put a little more pressure on us as, they were such a strong team, and having two guys there that can collaborate means that they were able to control the race much more. This is really going to change the Tour this year. We will have to wait and see how it is ridden."

"They [Astana] had lots of problems last year with doping, but they worked hard to clean up the team. They are a team that was built to ride the Tour so it must be hard when you are not granted a spot, especially for all those riders."