Cancellara's 2011 team and Worlds participation in doubt
Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara has pulled out of this year's Vuelta a Espana amid doubts over whether he will participate in this year's World Championships, and which team he will race for next season.
Cancellara, a time-trial specialist, pulled out of the race midway through Friday's 19th stage, having lost the time trial to Peter Velits two days prior. Before leaving Spain, the Saxo Bank rider confirmed that negotiations over his future are currently
underway with team manager Bjarne Riis.
"I haven't settled my future yet. I don't want to hurt Bjarne, nor Alberto [Contador]... not even Frank [Schleck]," Cancellara told L'Equipe.
After Frank and Andy Schleck announced their departure from Riis' team this summer, Tour de France winner Contador was signed as team leader for 2011. The Schleck brothers will join manager Kim Andersen's still-unnamed Luxembourgian team next season.
It has been speculated that Cancellara would also sign for Andersen's new team, despite having one year left on his contract with Saxo Bank. BMC and Australian enterprise Pegasus Racing have also been said to be interested in his services.
"I still have one more year of contract with Saxo Bank and we are currently discussing it. Bjarne and I are adults and every one of us needs to find his advantages in the deal. I want our discussions to focus on the human and professional aspect of my career,
and not only on numbers," the Swiss said.
No time-trial showdown with Martin?
Further doubts surround Cancellara's participation in the World Championships in Australia, set to start later this month. Many expect a time-trial duel between him and German rider Tony Martin, but the three-time world champion said he would not travel
down under unless his fitness is secured.
"I want to be at a 100 percent of my abilities before deciding whether I take part or not. At this event, I have more to lose than to gain if I'm not at the top. I have a status that I need to honour-by winning Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, two stages at the
Tour, and having worn the yellow jersey, I think I have achieved a great year."
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