Three-time Tour de France winner, , decided to leave the team that saw him through two of his Tour wins, . To add insult to injury, learned about Contador's decision through Contador's press service.
The 27-year old Spaniard won the Tour de France in 2007 on the Discovery Channel team, and in 2009 and 2010 on Team Astana. While riding for Astana, he also won the 2008 Giro d'Italia, and the 2008 Vuelta a España.
Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel left Astana at the end of last year when the team .
No word yet on which team Contador will ride for next year, but insiders speculate he'll join 's team. Riis is current owner and manager of Team Saxo Bank.
–Erin Beresini