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Lance Armstrong's Astana will go off last in the opening time trial in the Giro d'Italia as confusion reigned over the future of the Kazakh-funded team.

Some team members were not paid salaries last month and the International Cycling Union has said their Pro Tour licence could be withdrawn if the problem continues.

Armstrong, who gets money only from endorsement deals, had previously said he was interested in owning a team and Astana's struggles give him the perfect opportunity to take over along with general manager Johan Bruyneel.

The Kazakh owners have made no comment and complications with licences and funding mean little is certain, except that Astana and Armstrong will start the three-week race on Venice's Lido on Saturday.

While Astana have the advantage of starting last in the team time trial, Team Columbia will start first, organisers of the 100th edition of the Giro said in a statement.

Seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong, who has returned to cycling to promote his Livestrong cancer charity after three years in retirement, hopes to find funding for a team. However, he is unsure if a takeover of Astana is possible.

"I am optimistic. Various American multinationals have shown interest in our project. Before the end of the Giro we will know if we will go ahead with Astana or not," he said.

"It's possible," the 37-year-old, who has recently recovered from a broken collarbone, added when asked if a Livestrong team might feature in July's Tour de France.

To further complicate matters, the Lance Armstrong Foundation and Livestrong would not be able to fund a for-profit team themselves because they are non-profit organisations.

The future of 2007 Tour winner and 2008 Giro champion Alberto Contador also comes into the equation.

The Spanish Astana rider, who is skipping this year's Giro, is a rival to Armstrong's hopes of a eighth Tour title.

"If I was the owner of the team along with Bruyneel, I would not let him go for all the world, obviously having money to pay him. Contador is the best," Armstrong added.

Giro: Saturday 14:45 LIVE on British Eurosport (SKY 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Reuters