Armstrong's team given deadline to fix finances

VALDOBBIADENE, Italy (AP) -- Lance Armstrong's Astana team must straighten out its financial crisis by May 31 or risk being suspended.

Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel said Monday that the International Cycling Union sent a warning letter to Kazakhstan's cycling federation.

"That's the deadline to arrange the whole financial situation. If it's not taken care of by then, the letter says that the team will be suspended," Bruyneel said. "At least we're going to be able to finish the Giro."

The Giro d'Italia, which Armstrong is racing for the first time, ends May 31.

Astana receives most of its financial support from Kazakh state holding company Samruk-Kazyna, but the Central Asian nation's economy has been badly hit by the ongoing global financial crisis. The team has not paid its employees lately.

UCI president Pat McQuaid was expected to visit Kazakhstan this week.

Armstrong indicated last week that he was talking to U.S.-based sponsors about taking over the team himself. That might be his only solution if he wants to go for an eighth Tour de France title in July.

"I've already said all I know about Kazakhstan, Astana, Borat. I don't know anything more," Armstrong said when last asked about the issue. "It's not my team, it's not my sponsor. I've got nothing to say about it. I would love to give you an answer, but I don't have one. I would be speculating.

"It's difficult to go to any major corporation and say in the middle of the calendar year -- the fiscal year -- and say, 'How about we start in 20 or 30 days?' But we'll see."

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