Alonso to Start Professional Cycling Team in 2010

Fernando Alonso is reportedly thinking of establishing himself a new professional cycling team. The report that surfaced in both Spanish and Italian media in recent days says the 2-time Formula One champion will appoint 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador as leader of his team, due to be launched in early 2010.

Alonso is known as a cycling enthusiast, as he spent most of his training period this winter with fellow Spaniard and 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre's Cervelo team. Also, he was seen in the chase car during this year's Tour de France at the Monte Carlo stage, as reported by the GMM news agency.

According to both Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport and Spain's Marca newsapapers, the new team is likely to be backed by Alonso's long-time sponsor Grupo Santander. The Spanish banking company is on its way to switching title sponsorship in Formula One to Ferrari (from McLaren Mercedes), where Alonso will presumably drive starting 2010.

Alonso and Contador have allegedly established some contact regarding the formation of a new team, that will likely aim to win the Tour de France in 2010.

For the time being, the Spanish rider is under contract with Johan Bruyneel's Astana team, competing alongside (and against, we might add) 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong for this year's trophy. If Armstrong were to stay with the team for 2010 also, it is likely that Contador will part ways with Johan Bruyneel at the end of the year.