Janez Brajkovic leaves Astana for UnitedHealthcare
Slovenian Janez Brajkovic moves from Astana to US team UnitedHealthcare on a two-year deal


Winner of the 2010 Critérium du Dauphiné, Slovenian Janez Brajkovic signed today for team UnitedHealthcare for the next two seasons, 2015 and 2016.
"I'm extremely motivated and I know we'll have great years together," 30-year-old Brajkovic said.
"I'm ready to lead when appropriate, and also to work for my new team as the race and situation demands it. Teamwork is a very strong component with this program and I'm looking forward to contributing to that."
UnitedHealthcare holds a second division licence from the USA, but races around the world. In 2014, it was one of the wildcard teams in Paris-Roubaix.
Brajkovic since turning professional raced in first division teams Discovery Channel, Astana and RadioShack – all guided by the now banned manager, Johan Bruyneel. He returned to team Astana and spent the last three years in its turquoise colours.
He won a stage in the 2012 Volta a Catalunya and in August, finished third overall behind winner Nairo Quintana (Movistar) in the Vuelta a Burgos. However, 2014 was one of his worst years due to his crash in the Giro d'Italia's maxi-caduta in stage six to Montecassino. He shattered his left elbow and abandoned before the race reached the high-mountains.
Astana instead turned its attention to Fabio Aru, who placed third overall in the Giro, and won the Tour de France with Vincenzo Nibali. Aru returned and led the team in the Vuelta a España, where he won two stages. Brajkovic, despite his place in Burgos a week before, was not selected to race the Vuelta.
"I need to find a team where I can be myself, do the races I like, and get the results that I know I am capable of getting," Brajkovic told VeloNews in August.
"I really miss those American races, the American mentality. I like staying in the States, doing California, Colorado, Utah. I love those races."
UnitedHealthcare explained that his goals will be the Tour of California, the Tour of Utah and Colorado's USA Pro Challenge stage race. It will also have him lead the team in week-long European stage races.
"Jani was looking for a team where he could be a leader and get back to his winning ways, where teamwork is a primary focus," General Manager Mike Tamayo said. "An atmosphere in which the team will rally behind him and one that he can also give back to.
"We can provide that tight-knit community and level of support to get Jani back to a place where he is winning races. He's a great fit for the UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team, as a rider and a personality."
Brajkovic wins shortened stage of Tour of Catalonia, Albasini remains leader
Updated: Tour of Catalonia 2012, stage three: Heavy snow sees race cut by 55 kilometres, numerous abandons including Wiggins
Brajkovic wins Dauphine overall; Boasson Hagen scoops final stage
Criterium du Dauphine 2010, stage 7: Janez Brajkovic gives RadioShack a big win, Contador second
Astana's WorldTour licence in jeopardy after another failed drug test
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
US Pro Nationals Preview: all you need to know about the battles for the Stars and Stripes in Tennessee
The best US cycling talent converge in Knoxville, Tennessee June 23-26, for the US Pro National TT, Criterium and Road Race Championships
By Clara Beard • Published
-
Lucinda Brand takes overall victory at Tour de Suisse Women with dramatic stage four win
Brand won the overall via a long-range attack on the final stage, whilst previous leader Kristen Faulkner crashed in the closing metres
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Public prosecutor's office opens judicial investigation into Astana Qazaqstan's license holder
Abacanto SA has held the WorldTour team's license since 2010, but is being charged with violations of the Luxembourg criminal code
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali will not ride Paris-Roubaix in order to focus on the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France
Italian says it would have been "really cool" to ride all five monuments but it wasn't "possible"
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Astana release new rap video starring Vincenzo Nibali and Alexander Vinokourov
Kazakh team have history of strange social media posts, but this one is quite something
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Which WorldTour team has the best kit for 2022? We take a look through the wardrobe
Now almost all the kits are out, here are our measured ratings of racing kit ahead of the 2022 season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali to tackle Paris-Roubaix for first time in 2022
Italian is down to race all five monuments in 2022 for Astana-Qazaqstan
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I have been portrayed as a person that I am not': Gianni Moscon looks to a fresh start with Astana in 2022
The Italian can see himself competing in all five of the Monument Classics in the future
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali returns to Astana for the 2022 season
The 'Shark of Messina' returns to the Kazakhstani team after five seasons away
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Aleksandr Vinokourov fired by Astana-Premier Tech on eve of Tour de France
The founding member of the team has been ousted, reportedly for ‘personal reasons’
By Alex Ballinger • Published