Bruyneel: Cultural Learnings of Kazakhstan for Make Benefit Glorious Sport of Cycling

Am i the only one who can't take anything Astana does or says seriously?

The big story on Velonews.com today had me in stitches - contrary, i'm sure, to the intended message:

"Astana team boss Johan Bruyneel traveled to Kazakhstan this week to huddle with sponsors to gauge support following the devastating news that Tour champ Alberto Contador would not be allowed to defend his title come July."

I was even privileged enough to get an inside media report from the meeting:



Could it be that Sacha Baron Cohen has left such a lasting impression on my view of Kazakhstan that i associate all things 'Kazakh' with this:


Or could it be Johan dropping lines like:

"I am very appreciative of the unconditional support the team has received from our Kazakh sponsors and Prime Minister Danial Akhmetov"

Danial Akhmetov? Seriously? Wasn't that the name of the 'Minister of Information' in Cohen's movie?

What's next? Will Astana's big-money sponsorship fall through mid-season? Thus leaving Levi, Horner and the rest of the gang to take bottle hand-ups from Johan in a team car like this:


No pussy magnet on that model, fellers.

Well, looking on the bright side, at least there are still loyal Kazakh cycling fans...