It’s called the “Silly Season” for good reason. Riders take the late summer and early fall to change teams, extend contracts and otherwise look for rides to keep them in “the game.” This year has already seen plenty of big stars changing teams and looking for new opportunities, led by none other than longtime CSC-Saxo Bank captain Carlos Sastre, who announced last week his intention of joining a new team in 2009. CSC-Saxo Bank will lose another big name with Swedish time trial expert Gustav Larsson taking an offer from the Spanish team, Caisse d’Epargne.

Team CSC-Saxo Bank team manager Bjarne Riis said, “it’s part of the business. Riders leave teams and switch teams all the time. Everyone has to go with what’s right for them. Sure, it’s tough to lose Carlos, but we have other riders to build the team. We have the Schleck brothers and Cancellara and some younger riders who are coming up that we are developing. We’re not worried.” Riis also said he doesn’t expect to make any big signings ahead of the 2009 season, which, being the “silly season,” might not mean much right now! So keep your ears peeled.