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Three days after capturing the 91st Giro d’Italia title, Alberto Contador gets his deserved rest. The last days were well filled with celebrations.

At a press meeting in Pinto, he was quick to react regarding the definite position of ASO excluding Astana Cycling Team from participation in this year’s Tour de France. “Honestly, I did not expect it any more. I only have the impression that they are punishing themselves and the cycling fans,” said the Maglia Rosa.

Alberto Contador emphasized that it was also important to recognize the people who have enabled him to accomplish this dream. “The country of Kazakhstan and the officials believed in this Team and I am honored to have the name “Astana,” the symbol of Kazakhstan, on the winning Giro d’Italia jersey. It made me happy to see Kazakh flags in the streets of Milano. What a great way to celebrate the 10th anniversary Astana, the capitol city of Kazakhstan.”

Johan Bruyneel, who captured his eleventh career Grand Tour title in his first year as the Team’s General Manager, believes that this is a major victory for the entire Kazakh nation. “It is the mission of this team to foster national pride and I believe that the Giro d’Italia victory and the team’s 2008 successes are major milestones for the country. All Kazakhs should be filled with pride knowing they have the best stage racing team in the world. This team is extremely motivated to win and will continue to represent Kazakhstan with class. I was touched as well by the support we got from fans from all over the world, many coming from Kazakhstan. The people there followed us. Kazakh television came to the Giro. The popularity of the sport will continue to grow there, and wasn’t that the big purpose of the sponsoring initiative of Minister Danial Akhmetov? When cycling sport in Kazakhstan continues to evolve like it does now, the Kazakh Cycling Federation and country President Nursultan Nazarbayev may maybe dream of a future Kazakh big Tour winner.”

Kazakh political and cycling dignitaries honoured the Giro winner on Sunday evening in Milan. One day later Alberto Contador was warmly welcomed back to his hometown of Madrid, Spain. Greeted by a few hundred fans at Madrid’s Barajas Airport, Contador preceded to the Real Casa de Correos de la Puerta del Sol, where he was honored by Madrid’s Mayor Esperanza Aguirre. In front of 2000 Contador supporters and cycling fans, Mayor Aguirre praised Contador for capturing his first Giro title and recognized him as a champion of fair play and clean cycling. He was later transported in an open vehicle to his Pinto neighbourhood, where he was embraced by local supporters wearing pink shirts with the message, ‘Pinto con Alberto Contador. Gracias Campeón.’

While Contador now takes his vacation, Team Astana participates in the Tour of Luxemburg, Dauphiné Libéré and later on in the month, the Tour of Switzerland.