Katusha re-signs Karpets, targets Menchov
Team Katusha announced today that Vladimir Karpets has extended his contract by a year. The Russian rider had to abandon this year’s Tour de France after suffering an injury in the early stages of the race, but he still remains one of the most valuable riders on Team Katusha, the self-proclaimed ‘Russian Cycling Project.’ If the rumours are true, however, he may soon be overshadowed by Denis Menchov.
Karpets, from St. Petersburg, joined the Russian team in 2009 and proceeded to finish as the runner-up in the Tour de Romandie, fifth in the Tour de Suisse, which he won in 2007, and 12th in the Tour de France. This season, he finished fourth in Romandie and 14th in the Giro d’Italia, and spent time in the top- 0 of the Vuelta a Burgos last week.
Katusha has also promoted three young riders to the team and has its eye on Menchov, the third-place finisher of this year’s Tour de France. Nothing has been confirmed, but Menchov has listed Russian-sponsored Katusha as one of his two best options. Team Astana, also sponsored by its state, Kazakhstan, has lost Alberto Contador to Saxo Bank for the 2011 season, and the team leader Alexandre Vinokourov has been outspoken in their desire to take some of the top performers of the Tour de France.
"(Denis) Menchov, (Roman) Kreuziger and - why not - the Schleck brothers," listed Vinokourov.
The 32-year-old Menchov has been with Rabobank since 2005 but doesn’t seem to be interested in extended his contract once again. Sport Express, a Russian newspaper, has reported that an appointment has been made between the rider and Andre Tchmil, the Katusha team manager.
“I have been in negotiations with Astana,” said Menchov. “Katusha and Astana are my primary options.”
Menchov has a record of three Grand Tour victories, two at Vuelta a España and one at the Giro d’Italia, as well as two top-three finished in the Tour de France and one year as the best young rider. Astana needs another Grand Tour contender, and Menchov is the highest-placed finisher not already spoken for. Many of Katusha’s top results are going to foreign riders, despite calling itself the Russian Cycling Project, such as Joaquin Rodriguez of Spain, Filippo Pozzato of Italy and Robbie McEwen of Australia. Menchov could be the Russian leader they need.
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