McEwen weighing his options
Australian cycling veteran Robbie McEwen has said he is considering offers from three teams that want to sign him for next season, which will likely be his last on the UCI ProTour.
The 38-year-old sprinter began racing with Rabobank in 1996, and is currently one of the big names riding for new Russian outfit Katusha.
McEwen confirmed that he is considering extending his contract with Katusha, but also said that he is considering deals offered by two other teams, whose names he did not wish to disclose.
"I've got an offer from Katusha and I'm talking to two other teams this week. There were four or five teams that were interested in signing me but those are the three that fit best for me," McEwen told Cyclingnews ahead of the Paris-Brussels race next week.
"I don’t want to say the names of the teams I'm talking to because I'm not trying to play games with them. I don’t feel under pressure to sign a contract. It's about what is the right team for me from a sporting aspect, for my family and of course financially, because I'm a professional and do this for a living."
McEwen to join Aussie team?
Australian outfit Fly V is reported to be applying for a ProTour licence for 2011.
McEwen, who won the points classification of the Tour de France three times between 2002 and 2006, would be an ideal candidate to mentor the team's younger riders.
But despite his ties to team owner Chris White, McEwen declined to comment specifically on whether he is being courted by the new formation.
"My name has been linked to the new Aussie team whenever it is mentioned. I've known Chris White for 20 years and know some of the staff and riders they've signed. It'd be great for Australian cycling if we had an Aussie team at the top level. It's about time. We’ve probably got enough good Aussie riders to actually fill two ProTour teams."
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