Aleksandr Vlasov to break contract with Astana and join Ineos, report claims
The Russian has one year left on his contract with Astana

Aleksandr Vlasov is reportedly trying to break his contract with Astana in order to join Ineos Grenadiers for the 2021 season, according to reports.
The Russian had an impressive 2020, taking victories at the Giro dell'Emilia as well as the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge, also placing third at Il Lombardia and 11th overall at the Vuelta a España.
Vlasov has a year to run on his contract with Astana, having only signed from Gazprom-RusVelo at the start of the season, but is said to be attempting to leave halfway through.
According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo, agent Giuseppe Acquadro is trying to terminate Vlasov's contract with Astana and pave the way for his rider to join Ineos Grenadiers.
>>> Patrick Lefevere still wants to take legal action against Dylan Groenewegen
With Gazzetta dello Sport having reported earlier in the year that Vlasov could be on his way to the British team, the climber would only further bolster Ineos' ranks, who already count a host of uphill talent including Richard Carapaz, Egan Bernal, Geraint Thomas, and will welcome Adam Yates, Richie Porte and Dani Martínez into their ranks next year.
Astana have grappled with financial difficulties this year, team boss Alexandre Vinokourov saying he was battling budget restrictions, forced to cut wages by 30 per cent during the coronavirus pandemic after payments were apparently already delayed at the start of the year. Vinokourov says these budget constraints would also force the squad to let star rider Miguel Ángel López leave at the end of the year.
Acquadro is familiar with these sorts of situations, having helped both Richard Carapaz and Andrey Amador leave Movistar for Ineos when they had supposedly already agreed deals with the Spanish team for the coming season.
Movistar subsequently refused to work with Acquadro in the future, while his relationship with Astana could be complicated by the fact he also represents the Izagirre brothers, Omar Fraile, Alex Aranburu, Óscar Rodríguez and Rodrigo Contreras.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
Tour de France 2023 route: Every stage of the 110th edition in detail
It looks like next year's race will be one for the climbers, with the Puy de Dôme returning, in 56,400 metres of climbing
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger' - Michael Valgren on getting through injury and returning to racing
Danish rider lifts the lid on his long layoff, missing the Tour de France Grand Départ in Copenhagen and being inspired by Lizzie Deignan and Remco Evenepoel
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
From drawing to Giro d'Italia in 2 months: How SunGod reinvented Geraint Thomas' iconic sunglasses
The glasses, GTs, have been seen on the Welshman's face throughout his impressive Giro d'Italia run
By Adam Becket • Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart abandons Giro d'Italia after fracturing hip on stage 11
Ineos Grenadiers rider was sitting in third before falling heavily with 69km to go on Wednesday
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Blow to Ineos's Giro d'Italia as Filippo Ganna forced out with Covid-19
Time-triallist and super-domestique Filippo Ganna has had to leave his home Grand Tour due to a Covid-19 positive
By Jack Elton-Walters • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Tao Geoghegan Hart ready for Giro d'Italia after sealing Tour of the Alps victory in Italy
British rider says he will savour his second-ever overall win, before turning his attention towards the fast approaching Italian Grand Tour
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘Just stay calm and relaxed’: Tao Geoghegan Hart one day from second-ever overall victory
Barring major disaster, the Ineos Grenadiers rider will wrap up overall victory at the Tour of the Alps in Brunico on Friday
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘I’m not going there as a favourite’ - Tao Geoghegan Hart plays down Giro d’Italia chances despite success
The British rider is two days away from winning the Tour of the Alps, but said he would be just one of many 'pieces in the puzzle' at the Giro
By Tom Thewlis • Published