Armstrong: ‘high Interest’ For Astana

Following speculation that Lance Armstrong’s Astana could fold after the upcoming Giro d’Italia, the seven-time Tour de France winner has revealed that he has received ‘high interest’ from potential new sponsors for the team.

It recently emerged that the Astana team, backed by a consortium of Kazakhstan businesses, is up to £1.3m in debt, prompting the sport’s governing body, Cycling Union, to consider revoking its license.

Armstrong has allegedly claimed that he would become ‘owner, director and rider’ of the team should it change hands. On the heels of that statement, he has put forth that there has been strong interest from possible backers.

Media have speculated that the team’s owners are in talks with Kazakhstan’s prime minister about the financial problems. Whether they can resolve the issues or sell the team will most likely hang in uncertainty until after Giro d’Italia.