Nibali's Vuelta a España disqualification caps difficult year for Astana

Can Astana pick themselves up again after Vincenzo Nibali's ejection from the Vuelta a España in a season of ups and downs for the team?

Astana chases on stage two of the 2015 Tour of Spain

(Image credit: Watson)

Movies based on the world of cycling are rarely very good, but should someone write a screenplay of Astana's turbulent season they could strike cinematic gold.

We've had doping scandals, confusion in the ranks, managers criticising riders, poor results, great results and now a disqualification from a Grand Tour - all while under the highest scrutiny from the UCI and cycling fans.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.