German Andreas Kloeden said on Sunday that he had no intention of leaving Astana despite speculation over the team's future. "I signed a two-year contract until the end of 2008.
Even if the future of the team appears uncertain at present, I would like to wait for the development of the coming days before thinking of a change," Kloeden told his Web site (www.andreas-kloeden.com).
"So far I have always kept my word." Astana manager Marc Biver was summoned by cycling authorities earlier this month to explain three of his riders' positive doping tests this year.
Kazakh Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping during the Tour de France, prompting the whole Astana team to leave the race. On August 1, Vinokourov's compatriot Andrey Kashechkin also tested positive for blood doping. In June, German Matthias Kessler tested positive for testosterone. All three riders have been sacked by Astana and the team was barred from entering next month's Tour of Spain.