ROME -- When the team directors at Astana sat down to plan this season, the outline went something like this: A pink jersey for Vincenzo Nibali, a yellow jersey for Fabio Aru, and a gold medal for Nibali.Nibali carried out the first part of the plan to perfection by winning the Giro dItalia. Aru has to do his part when the Tour de France starts on Saturday at Mont-Saint-Michel. Then Nibali is expected to lead Italys team in the road race at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics with support from Aru.While Nibalis Giro victory was produced in dramatic fashion by taking the lead on the penultimate stage, winning the Tour on Arus debut in the French classic should be a much tougher assignment, even with Nibali aiding Aru as an unlikely support rider.When we made this choice in November after the Tour presentation we knew it was the most difficult option for Fabio, Astana team director Giuseppe Martinelli said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.After finishing third and second in the Giro the last two years, it would have been easier to aim for the Giro, Martinelli added. We decided to aim for the Tour because we dont have anything to lose. And because were convinced we can do well.The climbing specialist Aru won the Spanish Vuelta last year and at 25 is considered one of the future stars of the Tour.Only 11 cyclists have won the Tour on their first attempt, including greats Eddy Merckx, Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil and Felice Gimondi.The last man to achieve the feat was French rider Laurent Fignon in 1983.Aru, however, is not even considered among the top three favorites for this years Tour. Hes generally ranked just below defending champion Chris Froome, two-time winner Alberto Contador, and two-time runner-up Nairo Quintana.We realize that the best riders and teams go to the Tour, that theyre all in top form, and that its not going to be easy, Martinelli said. But Fabio has always surprised us since he turned pro. So I hope the same thing happens at the Tour.Not many people expected Fabios Vuelta victory.As for Nibalis role, Martinelli has handled having two captains in the same squad before. He was at Saeco when Damiano Cunego usurped team leadership from Gilberto Simoni to win the 2004 Giro, and he guided Stefano Garzelli to an unexpected pink jersey in 2000 when captain Marco Pantani struggled.This is a little different, because there are so many different goals on offer and we can handle it a little better, Martinelli said. The Giro victory has made Vincenzo much more relaxed, hes already achieved one of his principal goals for this season.(Nibali) is going to the Tour with the aim of ensuring that Fabio remains in the best possible condition, to help him do well, and be competitive in some stages. But the main thing is to prepare for the Olympics.Nibali has not raced since the Giro and has been preparing for the Tour with a 15-day training camp on the 1,918-meter (6,293-foot) San Pellegrino Pass.Having won the Tour in 2014, and as the holder of four Grand Tour victories, is Nibali really not considering a run at the general classification in France?I dont think so, Martinelli said. Im not thinking about that right now. We all know that Fabio has prepared well for the Tour and in our plans, Vincenzo is the guy for the Olympics.Nobody since Pantani in 1998 has won the Giro and Tour in the same year.Contador made a stated attempt at the double last year but followed up his Giro win with a fifth-place finish in the Tour, acknowledging that he ran out of energy.Its very unlikely to happen again, said Martinelli, who directed Pantanis Mercatone Uno team in `98.Whatever the results, this will likely be Nibalis last Tour with Astana. The Sicilian is expected to join a new World Tour team from Bahrain next year.There are a lot of rumors out there regarding Nibali and I really think theres a chance that Nibali could leave our squad, Martinelli said. But Astana will go on. Nibali is important to the squad but there are other riders who can make the team proud, too.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf Wholesale Air Force 1 China . The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. Air Max Plus Clearance Sale . 10 Texas A&Ms offence dominated as usual against SMU. http://www.cheapshoesstorewholesale.com/air-max-90-online-outlet.html . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Cheap Air Max Tn Plus . PAUL, Minn. Discount Shoes Stores . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less.INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis 500 this year will have its smallest seating capacity since 2000, but dont expect to find fewer fans on race day. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has removed thousands of grandstand seats overlooking Turn 3 and several rows of seats on the front straightaway. The changes follow the demolition of a bleacher section inside Turn 1 five years ago to exteend the tracks road course.dddddddddddd The Indianapolis Star reports the changes have cut the number of seats by 11,600, to 235,000. Speedway officials say the changes will improve fans experience. Spokesman Doug Boles notes that the seats along the front straightaway had limited visibility. An estimated 250,000 people are still expected to attend the May 26 race. ' ' '