Aleksandr Vlasov puts in a commanding display to take the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge 2020
The second addition of the one-day race saw a series of big attacks before the man from Astana took control
Astana
Photo : Yuzuru SUNADA
Kazakhstan | Team Website
Astana is a team that would have gladdened the hearts of the people behind the UCI’s original globalisation project: a Kazakh squad, led by an Italian and a Dane.
Since appearing on the scene in 2007, the squad has become a mainstay of the top-flight, with a host of wins in the world’s biggest races.
Most natably, Italian Vincenzo Nibali won the 2014 Tour de France after finishing third overall in the 2012 edition and claiming the Giro d’Italia victory in 2013.
The team successfully nurtured a new Grand Tour talent in the shape of Fabio Aru, who won the 2015 Vuelta a España after placing second in the Giro behind Alberto Contador (Tinkoff) earlier in the year.
With Nibali moving to Bahrain-Merida in 2017 and Aru to UAE Team Emirates in 2018, the squad is now without a big Grand Tour leader.
However, they have a couple of other riders quickly gaining momentum in bigger stage races: not least Jakob Fuglsang and Colombian prospect Miguel Ángel López.
Astana has also found success in one-day races and individual stages, with Michael Valgren, Omar Fraile, Alexey Lutsenko, Magnus Cort Nielsen and old hand Luis Leon Sanchez all claiming victories in recent seasons. Valgren’s wins in the 2018 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Amstel Gold Race shows that the team can be a force in the Classics.
Astana’s success, however, has been tempered by controversy over the years, including several doping cases within the team, including Maxim and Valentin Iglinskiy both failing tests for banned blood booster EPO in late 2014.
The UCI conducted a review into the team and its management, and while the team’s WorldTour status looked in jeopardy, it was awarded a licence for 2015.
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Gorka Izagirre and Alex Aranburu make it a one-two for Astana at the Gran Trittico Lombardo
Extremely heavy rain meant that live pictures were very hard to come by and made for some intense racing
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Astana rider racks up 11 hours and 368km on Zwift
What’s your longest ride on Zwift?
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Astana riders and staff have not been paid since start of 2020, Vinokourov confirms
The team boss says wages will be paid this week
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Alexey Lutsenko says he ‘didn’t make any mistake in the final’ after missing out to Tadej Pogačar
Alexey Lutsenko said he “did not make any mistake in the final” after he was beaten by Tadej Pogačar on stage five of the UAE Tour 2020.
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Alexandre Vinokourov calls for CADF to conduct investigation into leaked Fuglsang report
The Astana general manager also said he respects the UCI's fight against doping in cycling
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Anti-doping investigators release statement on leaked Jakob Fuglsang and Michele Ferrari report
The anti-doping investigators behind a leaked report have released a statement over allegations that two Astana riders had met with Dr Michele Ferrari.
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Jakob Fuglsang and Alexey Lutsenko respond to claims they met with Michele Ferrari
Jakob Fuglsang and Alexey Lutsenko have both responded to the claims they have met with disgraced doping doctor Michele Ferrari.
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Michele Ferrari denies links to Jakob Fuglsang and Astana
The Italian doctor also said he has never been on a scooter in his life so couldn't have motor-paced the Danish rider, as allegations have claimed
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Astana release statement responding to Jakob Fuglsang allegations
Astana have released a statement responding to allegations centred around their Danish star Jakob Fuglsang.
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Leaked report links Jakob Fuglsang to banned doping doctor Michele Ferrari
Alexey Lutsenko is also accused of being present at one alleged meeting between the Dane and the doctor
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Astana will ride Wilier Triestina bikes in 2020
Astana have announced they will ride Wilier Triestina bikes next season as their partnership with Argon 18 comes to an end.
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Alexandre Vinokourov crowned Ironman 70.3 world champion (for his age group)
Alexandre Vinokourov proved his longevity by winning the Ironman 70.3 world title for his age category in Nice.
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Miguel Ángel López steals race lead on stage five after first mountain at Vuelta a España 2019
Nicolas Roche has lost his race lead in the Vuelta a España, handing the red jersey back to Miguel Ángel López after a revealing stage five.
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Jakob Fuglsang extends contract with Astana
Jakob Fuglsang has extended his contract with Astana, having ridden the best season of his career.
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Jakob Fuglsang returns to racing at Vuelta a España as Astana take strong squad
Miguel Ángel López, who finished on the podium last year, will also feature
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Unlucky Jakob Fuglsang was in his best shape ever at Tour de France, say Astana
The Dane was forced to abandon with injury on stage 16
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Jakob Fuglsang abandons Tour de France 2019
Jakob Fuglsang has abandoned the Tour de France after a crash in the final of stage 15.
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‘It'll be harder to brake but it shouldn’t be a problem’: Magnus Cort continues Tour de France with broken finger
Magnus Cort will continue in the Tour de France with a broken finger he suffered in a crash on stage four.
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Jakob Fuglsang feeling better than feared after heavy crash on Tour de France opening stage
The Dane says he believes he can ride himself back to 100 per cent condition ahead of the mountains
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Jakob Fuglsang hopeful of continuing after suffering knee & eye injuries on Tour de France 2019 opener
The Astana rider finished the stage with blood pouring down his face
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Pello Bilbao wins rapid stage seven of the Giro d'Italia 2019
Valerio Conti holds on to the pink jersey after an unrelenting day of racing
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Ion Izagirre wins overall as Adam Yates takes thrilling final stage victory at Tour of the Basque Country
Daring move by Astana brings general classification victory for Astana's local rider Ion Izagirre
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Miguel Ángel López takes overall lead with victory on stage four of Volta a Catalunya 2019
Miguel Ángel López took a dominant victory on stage four of the Volta a Catalunya, firing in into the overall lead in the process.
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'We'll ride this wave as long as possible': Fuglsang victory adds to Astana's amazing start to 2019
The Dane won stage five at Tirreno-Adriatico as Ion Izagirre won the final stage of Paris-Nice
