Controversy had arisen before the Giro when it was revealed that many of Astana's sponsors in Kazakhstan had not paid their full obligations to the team, and that the riders had therefore not been paid their full salaries to that point in the season.
Der var opstået kontrovers før Giroen, da det blev afsløret, at mange af sponsorerne på Astana Pro Team ikke havde betalt de fulde beløb til holdet, og at rytterne derfor ikke havde fået deres fulde løn på det tidspunkt i sæsonen.