2008 Astana season

Cycling team season 2008 Astana season Manager Johan Bruyneel One-day victories 2 Stage race overall victories 8 Stage race stage victories 18 Previous season • Next season The 2008 season for the AST 2008 cycling team began in January with the Tour Down Under and ended in October with the Giro di Lombardia. As a UCI ProTour team, they were automatically invited and obliged to attend every event in the UCI ProTour. Astana changed drastically between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, with its former manager Marc Biver replaced by Johan Bruyneel from the dissolved Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. Following Bruyneel to Astana were several riders from that team, including Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer, who had finished first and third, respectively, in the 2007 Tour de France for Discovery. Numerous riders also left the team, including Matthias Kessler, Andrey Kashechkin, and Alexander Vinokourov, who had all tested positive for doping. The team's biggest successes in 2008 were the overall victories by Contador in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. As the team was barred from competing in the Tour de France that year, as well as other events organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation, Contador was unable to defend his championship from the year before. Just as the team's competitive season was nearing its end, Lance Armstrong announced that he planned to return to competitive cycling in 2009 after a four-year absence. As Bruyneel was Armstrong's team manager for all seven of his Tour de France victories, there was much speculation immediately that Armstrong would sign with Astana in his comeback, which he eventually did. 2008 team roster Ages as of January 1, 20082008-12-31 Astaná 2008 http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13904 The Cyclingwebsite July 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20121009225735/http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13904 2012-10-09 dead Assan Bazayev KAZ 2008 1 1 1981 2 22 Janez Brajkovič SLO 2008 1 1 1983 12 18 Antonio Colóm ESP 2008 1 1 1978 5 11 Alberto Contador ESP 2008 1 1 1982 12 6 Koen de Kort NED 2008 1 1 1982 9 8 Thomas Frei SUI 2008 1 1 1984 1 19 Vladimir GusevGusev was fired by the team on July 26 for failing an internal doping check RUS 2008 1 1 1981 7 4 René Haselbacher AUT 2008 1 1 1977 9 15 Chris Horner USA 2008 1 1 1971 10 23 Maxim Iglinskiy KAZ 2008 1 1 1981 4 18 Sergei Ivanov RUS 2008 1 1 1975 3 5 Benoît Joachim LUX 2008 1 1 1976 1 4 Aaron Kemps AUS 2008 1 1 1983 9 10 Roman Kireyev KAZ 2008 1 1 1987 2 14 Andreas Klöden GER 2008 1 1 1975 6 22 Berik Kupeshov KAZ 2008 1 1 1987 1 30 Levi Leipheimer USA 2008 1 1 1973 10 24 Julien Mazet FRA 2008 1 1 1981 3 19 Andrey Mizurov KAZ 2008 1 1 1973 3 16 Steve Morabito SUI 2008 1 1 1983 1 30 Dmitriy Muravyev KAZ 2008 1 1 1979 2 11 Daniel Navarro ESP 2008 1 1 1983 7 8 Benjamín Noval ESP 2008 1 1 1979 1 23 Sérgio Paulinho POR 2008 1 1 1980 3 26 Grégory Rast SUI 2008 1 1 1980 1 17 José Luis Rubiera ESP 2008 1 1 1973 1 27 Michael Schär SUI 2008 1 1 1986 9 29 Tomas Vaitkus LTU 2008 1 1 1982 2 4 Sergei Yakovlev KAZ 2008 1 1 1976 4 21 Andrey Zeits KAZ 2008 1 1 1986 12 14 Riders who joined the team for the 2008 season2007-12-31 Astaná 2007 http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13162 The Cyclingwebsite July 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20120214091549/http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13162 February 14, 2012 dead mdy-all Rider2007 teamJanez BrajkovičDSC 2007Alberto ContadorDSC 2007Vladimir GusevDSC 2007Chris HornerSIL 2007Roman Kireyevneo-proBerik Kupeshovneo-proLevi LeipheimerDSC 2007Benjamín NovalDSC 2007Sérgio PaulinhoDSC 2007José Luis RubieraDSC 2007Thomas VaitkusDSC 2007Andrey Zeitsneo-pro Riders who left the team during or after the 2007 season Rider2008 teamIgor AbakoumovMitsubishi–JartaziMaxim GourovA-Style SomnAndrey KashechkinnoneMatthias KesslernoneAlexey KolessovUlanEddy MazzoleniRetiredGennady MikhaylovMitsubishi–JartaziJosé Antonio RedondoAndalucía–CajaSurPaolo SavoldelliLPR 2008Evgeniy SladkovCentri della Calzatura – PartizanAlexander VinokourovSuspended for doping One-day races Spring classics By their own admission, Astana does not aim for the classics.Cathy Mehl The Dirk Demol Interview, Part 1 http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/demolpart1.html Astana Cycling Team Of course Quick Step is a big Classics team and they always get important wins during the spring season. That isn’t the case with Team Astana—it is not a huge objective for this team. June 15, 2009 2009-07-07 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20150709054959/http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/demolpart1.html July 9, 2015 The team first participated in Omloop Het Volk on March 1, with Dmitriy Muravyev in 31st their best-placed rider.Gregor Brown Gilbert returns with solo Het Volk victory http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/hetvolk08/?id=results Cycling News March 1, 2008 July 10, 2009 Sergei Ivanov's 7th in the Amstel Gold RaceBrecht Decaluwé and Gregor Brown Cunego a man for all seasons http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/amstel08/?id=results Cycling News 2008-04-20 July 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090624102027/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/amstel08/?id=results 24 June 2009 live proved to be one of the team's best results all season, as in the other spring races in which they competed, Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, the Tour of Flanders, and Gent–Wevelgem, they did not have a rider place higher than 13th.Gregor Brown and Brecht Decaluwé De Jongh puts icing on Quick Step's cake http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/kbk08/?id=results Cycling News March 2, 2008 July 10, 2009Gregor Brown and Brecht Decaluwé Devolder shines in Belgian driekleur http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/rvv08/?id=results Cycling News April 6, 2008 July 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090627035403/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/rvv08/?id=results 27 June 2009 liveBjorn Haake and Brecht Decaluwé Oscar 'The Cat' Freire takes revenge http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/wevelgem08/?id=results Cycling News April 9, 2008 July 10, 2009 Due in part to the ban imposed by the Amaury Sport Organisation from participating in races they organized, the team did not compete in Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, or other races in which a team of their caliber would normally take part. In March, Tomas Vaitkus earned the team's lone one-day victory of the spring season, winning a sprint finish to the Ronde van het Groene Hart.Susan Westemeyer Easy sprint win for powerful Vaitkus http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/rondevanhetgroenehart08 Cycling News 2008-03-23 2009-07-15 Fall races The team entered the Clásica de San Sebastián in August, with Contador in 26th their highest-placed finisher. Contador, like many riders in the event, rode it as preparation for the road cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games.Bjorn Haake Valverde all set for Olympics http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/aug08/sansebastian08/?id=results Cycling News August 2, 2008 2009-07-15 Astana also took part in Vattenfall Cyclassics, the Coppa Sabatini, Paris–Bourges, the Giro dell'Emilia, the Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli, Milano–Torino, and the Giro del Piemonte in September and October, but did not obtain a place higher than 11th (by Janez Brajkovič in the Giro dell'Emilia).Gregor Brown Di Luca ends season with Emilia win http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/oct08/emilia08 Cycling News October 11, 2008 2009-07-15 In August, Leipheimer and Contador took the top two spots in the Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama, a race they rode as preparation for the Vuelta a España.Leipheimer, Contador 1-2 los Puertos http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/aug08/puertos08 Cycling News 2008-08-24 2009-07-29 In the Giro di Lombardia, Astana's final race of the season, they were more successful than they had been most of the season, attaining a fourth podium finish in a one-day race on the year. While Damiano Cunego had broken away from the field with 15 kilometers left to race to win the event, Brajkovič won a sprint over GCE 2008's Rigoberto Urán for second, and reacted as though he won the race. Chris Horner was also highly placed in the event, finishing seventh.Gregor Brown Damiano Cunego King of Lombardia http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/oct08/lombardia08/?id=results Cycling News 2008-10-18 2009-07-15 Stage races Astana attended the Tour Down Under for the first time in 2008, as it was the first year the event was part of the UCI ProTour. The team was not very competitive in the event, with a fifth place in a sprint finish to Stage 2 from Aaron Kemps as their best stage result. They also led the teams classification after that stage.Paul Verkuylen and Greg Johnson Greipel wins the dash into Hahndorf http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jan08/tdu08/?id=results/tdu082 Cycling News 2008-01-23 2009-07-14 The team's best-placed rider in the final overall classification was José Luis Rubiera, ranked 31st.Paul Verkuylen and Greg Johnson 'Gorilla' Greipel gets the stage – and the overall http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jan08/tdu08/?id=results/tdu086 Cycling News 2008-01-27 2009-07-14 The team then attended the Tour of California in February. Leipheimer was the team leader for the event, as he was the defending champion from 2007 with Team Discovery.Mark Zalewski Third Tour of California combines 'old' with 'new http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/ Cycling News 2009-07-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20090628211121/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/ 28 June 2009 live Leipheimer assumed the race lead after Stage 3, having worked with RAB 2008 rider Robert Gesink to gain time on the peloton with Gesink claiming the stage win and Leipheimer the overall lead.Mark Zalewski Leipheimer takes ownership in California http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california083 Cycling News 2008-02-20 2009-07-14 Leipheimer padded his lead by winning the individual time trial in Solvang two days laterMark Zalewski Leipheimer owns TT in Solvang http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california085 Cycling News 2008-02-22 2009-07-14 and held on to win the Tour itself for the second straight year.Mark Zalewski Hincapie redeems High Road http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california087 Cycling News 2008-02-24 2009-07-14 While the Tour of California was ongoing, Astana sent another squad to the Volta ao Algarve, with Tomas Vaitkus claiming a win in Stage 2.Astana's Vaitkus sprints to win http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/feb08/algarve08/algarve082 Cycling News 2008-02-21 2009-07-14 Rubiera was the victor in early March of the queen stage of the Vuelta a Murcia, a stage which the peloton almost refused to race because of the weather and safety conditions.Rubiera takes snow-capped queen stage http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/murcia08/murcia082 Cycling News March 5, 2008 2009-07-29 thumb|alt=A cyclist wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him|Levi Leipheimer riding the prologue time trial of the Tour of California. With the team disinvited from Paris–Nice and Tirreno–Adriatico,Hedwig Kröner High noon in France http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/parisnice08/ Cycling News 2009-07-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20090624112946/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/parisnice08/ 24 June 2009 liveGregor Brown Big sprinters choose race of two seas http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/tirreno08/ Cycling News 2009-07-14 their next stage race was the Volta ao Distrito de Santarém,3rd Volta ao Santarém – 2.1 http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/santarem08/default Cycling News 2009-07-14 a race which neither Astana nor Discovery Channel had participated in the year before.2nd Volta ao Santarém – 2.1 http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar07/santarem07/default Cycling News 2009-07-14 The team did not win any stage, though Andreas Klöden finished on the event's final podium, in third.Stage 4 – March 16: Alcanena – Santarém, 149.9 km http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/santarem08/santarem084 Cycling News March 16, 2008 2009-07-14 Astana next entered the Vuelta a Castilla y León with a squad that was thought to greatly outclass the squads entered by other teams.Astana to hit hard with Tour-quality squad http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/default Cycling News 2009-07-14 Contador won the opening time trialStage 1 – March 24: Valsain – La Granja de San Ildefonso (ITT), 9.7km http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon081 Cycling News 2008-03-24 2009-07-14 and the mountainous fourth stageContador on top in the mountains http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon084 Cycling News 2008-03-27 2009-07-14 en route to winning the race overall.Fernandez tops on spectacular final stage http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon085 Cycling News 2008-03-28 2009-07-14 Leipheimer also showed well, finishing 4 seconds off Contador's winning time in the time trial, and falling only on Stage 4, where he rode in support of Contador, to finish in fourth overall. In April, the team achieved great success in the Vuelta al País Vasco, with Contador winning the opening stage, which had seven categorized climbs,Monika Prell Contador smokes competition in Basque Country http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results/paisvasco081 Cycling News April 7, 2008 2009-07-25 and the final individual time trial, to win the race overall.Monika Prell Contador time trials away from his greatest rivals http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results/paisvasco086 Cycling News April 12, 2008 2009-07-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20090618170532/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results%2Fpaisvasco086 18 June 2009 live Just after the tour of the Basque country was the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, an event in which Astana won a stage with Grégory Rast and the points classification with Assan Bazayev.Jean-François Quénet Rast shows Astana's motivation on the cobblestones http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/apr08/presidentialtour08/presidentialtour08Prologue Cycling News April 13, 2008 2009-07-29Jean-François Quénet Presidential welcome for Garcia Dapena's triumph http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/apr08/presidentialtour08/presidentialtour087 Cycling News 2008-04-20 2009-07-29 Later in the month, the team sent a squad headed by Leipheimer and Chris Horner to the Tour de Georgia. They did not win any stage, but Leipheimer took third overall, and Antonio Colóm fourth.Mark Zalewski High Road closes out Georgia with stage win http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/georgia08/?id=results/georgia087 Cycling News 2008-04-27 2009-07-14 The team was greatly successful at the Tour de Romandie later in the month, with Maxim Iglinskiy and Klöden both winning stages,Susan Westerneyer Iglinsky takes wet stage – Albasini steps into yellow http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie081 Cycling News 2008-04-30 2009-07-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20090623093202/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results%2Fromandie081 23 June 2009 live Ben Atkins He's back! Klöden seizes control in time trial http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie083 Cycling News May 2, 2008 2009-07-14 and Klöden the race overall.Susan Westerneyer Klöden caps comeback with Romandie title http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie085 Cycling News May 4, 2008 2009-07-14 https://web.archive.org/web/20090622173207/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results%2Fromandie085 22 June 2009 live In the Volta a Catalunya, which was concurrent to the Giro d'Italia, the team did not win any stage, with Janez Brajkovič's second in Stage 2 their closest result,Dessel solos to queen stage win http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/may08/catalunya08/?id=results/catalunya082 Cycling News 2008-05-21 2009-07-14 though they did win the teams classification.Stage 6 – May 25: Pallejà – Barcelona, 124.0km http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/may08/catalunya08/?id=results/catalunya086 Cycling News 2008-05-25 2009-07-14 At the Tour de Luxembourg in June, Rast entered as defending champion and was considered among the favorites,Home rider to win five-day Luxembourg race? http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jun08/luxembourg08/default Cycling News June 4, 2008 2009-07-14 but the team did not win any stage or finish on the podium. Leipheimer won the prologue time trial to the Dauphine Libéré later in the month,Jean-François Quénet Leipheimer uses Giro form to beat Hushovd http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere080 Cycling News June 8, 2008 2009-07-14 and wound up finishing third overall in the race.Jean-François Quénet Fofonov beats Trofimov as Valverde seals overall http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere087 Cycling News June 15, 2008 2009-07-14 Klöden next took second overall in the Tour de Suisse, later in June.Shane Stokes Cancellara repeats, Kreuziger takes overall http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere087 Cycling News 2008-06-22 2009-07-14 The following month, Leipheiemer and Horner raced as Astana (though they were the only Astana riders in the event) at the Cascade Cycling Classic, and Leipheimer was able to take the overall win there, largely thanks to a convincing victory in the third stage time trial.Kirsten Robbins Leipheimer takes yellow after blazing TT http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/cascade08/cascade083 Cycling News July 11, 2008 2009-07-15Kirsten Robbins Escuela successful on final stage, Leipheimer claims yellow http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/cascade08/cascade086 Cycling News July 13, 2008 2009-07-15 On the same day, René Haselbacher won a stage in Tour of Austria. Haselbacher delivers first home victory http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/austriatour08/austriatour085 Cycling News July 11, 2008 2009-07-29 Later in the month, Sergeui Ivanov won the Tour de Wallonie, without winning a stage. Stage 5 – July 30: Welkenraedt – Aubel, 175.3 km http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/regionwallonne08/regionwallonne085 Cycling News 2008-07-30 2009-07-15 The team sent squads to the Tour de Pologne, Tour de l'Ain, Tour of Ireland, and the Eneco Tour, but did not obtain a stage win, classification win, or podium finish in any of them. Grand Tours Giro d'Italia Astana was at first not invited to the Giro.Stephen Farrand ASTANA AND HIGH ROAD NOT INVITED TO 2008 GIRO D'ITALIA http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/347805/astana-and-high-road-not-invited-to-2008-giro-d-italia.html Cycling Weekly February 1, 2008 July 11, 2009 Six days before the race began, RCS Sport (the organizers of the Giro) went back on the decision to exclude Astana and extended them a late invitation. This change of heart was at least partly contingent on Contador, Leipheimer, and Klöden participating in the race.AFP Direct Astana Will Race The Giro http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-3-10-17106-1,00.html Bicycling (bicycling.com) 2008-05-04 July 11, 2009 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20081009225141/http://www.bicycling.com/article/0%2C6610%2Cs-3-10-17106-1%2C00.html October 9, 2008 Having thought for two months prior that they would not compete in the Giro, most of Astana's riders had planned to take a break during the Tour of Italy,Chris Brewer Astana Cycling Team Season Review (part 2 of 3) http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/fresh_brew/08season2.html Astana Cycling Team July 11, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175513/http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/fresh_brew/08season2.html September 23, 2015 usurped mdy-all and Contador was actually vacationing on a beach when Bruyneel called him to tell him the team was headed to the Giro.http://www.velonews.com/article/76007 Contador: from the beach to the Giro Andrew Hood 2008-05-09 VeloNews.com 2009-07-11 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080724013704/http://www.velonews.com/article/76007 2008-07-24 left|thumb|alt=A cyclist in an all-pink jersey crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him|Contador wearing the pink jersey during the 21st stage of the Giro d'Italia. The team mostly lay low in the race's first week and a half, with only fourth in a sprint from Assan Bazayev in Stage 4http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro084 'Manx Express' Cavendish takes first Grand Tour win Shane Stokes 2008-05-13 Cycling News 2009-07-11 and fifth in Stage 6 by Maxim Iglinsky from a breakaway to show for themselves through nine stages.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro086 Priamo nets first Giro win while Visconti lands big catch Shane Stokes 2008-05-15 Cycling News 2009-07-11 Contador and Klöden both showed strongly in the Stage 10 individual time trial, with Contador missing the stage win by just 8 seconds (Klöden was third, 20 seconds off Marzio Bruseghin's winning time) and moving from eighth to fourth in the overall classification.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0810 Wet Urbino run sorts out classification Gregor Brown 2008-05-20 Cycling News 2009-07-11 The high mountain Stage 14 into the Italian Alps saw Contador rise to second overall, just five seconds behind race leader Gabriele Bosisio.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0814 Sella dominates Giro's first high-mountain stage Gregor Brown 2008-05-24 Cycling News 2009-07-11 The next day, Contador finished twelve minutes ahead of Bosisio and took the race leader's pink jersey. His main rival at that point was Riccardo Riccò, who had gained 16 seconds on him that day and was only 33 back overall.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0815 Dolomite delight: Italy's Sella doubles, Contador in maglia rosa Gregor Brown 2008-05-25 Cycling News 2009-07-11 Contador padded his lead over Riccò slightly in short time trial in Stage 16,http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0816 Franco Pellizotti is king of Corones Gregor Brown 2008-05-26 Cycling News 2009-07-11 and stayed out of trouble in Stages 17 and 18, stages where the contenders all finished together. The long and mountainous Stage 19 saw Riccò and Danilo Di Luca both put time into Contador with late attacks, but not enough to take the jersey from him.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 Contador proves tough under Di Luca's pressure Gregor Brown 2008-05-30 Cycling News 2009-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20090618004930/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0819 18 June 2009 live Di Luca found himself effected the next day, losing over five minutes and falling from contention, but Contador and Riccò finished together and were separated by just 4 seconds entering the Stage 21 time trial.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results/giro0820 Contador one step closer to pink dream Gregor Brown 2008-05-31 Cycling News 2009-07-11 Riccò was unable to challenge Contador in the Giro's finale, finishing 68th on the stage and losing close to two minutes to Contador, who was 11th. Though neither Contador himself nor anyone from the team won any stage in the Giro, Contador took the overall victory in the General Classification.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results/giro0821 Hola! Contador conquers second Grand Tour Gregor Brown 2008-06-01 Cycling News 2009-07-11 Vuelta a España Astana entered the Vuelta with Contador as a big favorite to win the overall title and complete the career sweep of the Grand Tours.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/ Contador aiming for Grand Tour treble Shane Stokes Cycling News 2009-07-11 https://web.archive.org/web/20090628194056/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/ 28 June 2009 live Astana's Vuelta actually began with a disappointment, an 8th-place finish in the Stage 1 team time trial, which either they or SAX 2008b had been thought likeliest to win.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta081 Liquigas surprise over time trialling favorites Cycling News 2008-08-30 2009-07-11 After staying out of trouble in sprinters' Stages 2 through 4, Leipheimer won the Stage 5 individual time trial and Contador was fourth, 49 seconds back of him. This gave Leipheimer the race leader's golden jersey by a margin of 2 seconds over Sylvain Chavanel.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta085 Double success for Leipheimer Shane Stokes Cycling News 2008-09-03 2009-07-11 It was not a lead that Astana intended to defend the next day, however, as Chavanel's COF 2008 team drove the peloton to catch the morning breakaway in Stage 6 so Chavanel could get bonus seconds in intermediate sprints to take the jersey, which he did.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta086 Bettini is back as Chavanel storms into golden jersey Bjorn Haake Cycling News 2008-09-04 2009-07-11 thumb|upright|alt=A cyclist in a gold jersey with blue trim and blue shoes riding down a road, with spectators watching him from behind a guardrail and one headlight from a car behind him just in the frame|Contador wearing the golden jersey during the 20th stage of the Vuelta a España. The next stage, after the first rest day, was the longest in the Vuelta and contained numerous mountain climbs. It was made even more difficult by a consistent downfall of rain and cold temperatures. Contador and Leipheimer both marked the competition and finished well on the stage, third and fifth respectively, to maintain their high overall placings.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta087 Ballan takes dramatic first season win Gregor Brown Cycling News 2008-09-06 2009-07-11 Leipheimer regained the race lead the next day essentially by default, as Alessandro Ballan, who had won the difficult Stage 7, quickly faded on Stage 8.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta088 Moncoutié delivers solo punch ahead of Astana show Gregor Brown Cycling News 2008-09-07 2009-07-11 Again Astana did not work to keep Leipheimer in the race lead, affording a breakaway that included Egoi Martínez sufficient time that Martínez took the golden jersey.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta089 Van Avermaet scoops biggest triumph, Martinez grabs lead Shane Stokes Cycling News 2008-09-08 2008-07-11 The next day, several local newspapers criticized Astana for the move, as SAX 2008b yes and GCE 2008 had tried to pull the peloton such that Astana would have no choice to defend the jersey, but were unable to force their hand.http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/noticias/noticias10.html?e=10 What the papers say: Astana's tactics turn Egoi into new race-leader Web Oficial de la Vuelta a España 2008-09-09 2009-07-11 Martínez reacted to his assumption of the race lead as though it were a gift from his former manager Bruyneel. Following several stages won by sprinters and breakaways, the next test for the riders was the legendary Alto de El Angliru in Stage 13. The morning breakaway was afforded over eleven minutes, but it was dropped to nothing on the ascent of what has been called the most difficult climb in all of professional cycling.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=/features/2008/vuelta08_angliru Tales from the peloton, September 11, 2008 Cycling News 2008-09-11 2009-07-11 They either hate it or detest it. No sane cyclist – professional or otherwise – would climb the Alto del Angliru for fun. But for all those whose sentiments for the hardest climb in the world are the polar opposite of affection, no one will argue that whoever wins this stage of the Vuelta a España will become a legend. https://web.archive.org/web/20090630023456/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=%2Ffeatures%2F2008%2Fvuelta08_angliru 30 June 2009 live Astana and Caisse d'Epargne both had many support riders in the leading group going up the climb, and they alternately tried to set paces to protect either Contador or Alejandro Valverde while isolating the competition. It was left to Leipheimer to pace Contador to the conclusion as the climb reached its hardest part, 7 kilometers from the finish. Contador indeed went on to win the stage, and took the race lead as well.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0813 Contador reigns in Vuelta's most feared day Gregor Brown Cycling News 2008-09-13 2009-07-11 Contador added another stage win the next day when only he and Leipheimer could respond to the repeated attacks of Ezequiel Mosquera, and Contador won the sprint.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0814 Contador puts golden stamp on Vuelta Gregor Brown Cycling News 2008-09-14 2009-07-11 The top ten in the general classification finished together in the next five stages, which were mostly friendly to sprinters and breakaways. Stage 20 was another time trial, one with an uphill finish. This time trial was won convincingly by Leipheimer, as only Contador and Valverde were within a minute of his winning time. This ride put Leipheimer 46 seconds off Contador's time.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0820 Leipheimer and Contador deliver one-two Astana punch Gregor Brown Cycling News 2008-09-20 2009-07-11 With the Vuelta's final stage flat and largely ceremonial, akin to the Champs-Élysées stage in the Tour de France, this stood as the final result, with Contador winning the Vuelta to complete his career triple; he also won the combination classification and its white jersey.http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0821 Breschel tops sprint ahead of historic Contador win Gregor Brown Cycling News 2008-09-21 2009-07-11 Minor controversy followed the Vuelta; Contador alleged that Leipheimer was not being a team player by seeming to ride the Stage 20 time trial with the aim of winning the Vuelta, after Contador had apparently been decided as the team's leader,https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=3604414 Contador says Armstrong could pose 'difficult' situation on team ESPN.com news services 2008-09-24 ESPN 2009-07-11 though the team had not firmly chosen a leader as the race began. Away from competition Exclusion from ASO races On February 13, it was announced that the Amaury Sport Organisation would not invite Astana to any of their races that season, which included the Tour de France, Paris–Nice, and numerous one-day races. The decision was made because of the doping perpetrated by Astana in its previous seasons; chief among these scandals was the blood doping perpetrated by Alexander Vinokourov in the 2007 Tour de France.Astana banned by ASO – Contador unable to defend Tour de France title http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astana-banned-by-aso-contador-unable-to-defend-tour-de-france-title Cycling News February 13, 2008 July 10, 2009 The team reacted with surprise and disappointment, particularly since the ban seemed to punish a team that no longer existed, and as a result Contador would not be able to defend his Tour de France championship.Press Release: Astana Team Not Invited by ASO http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/news_press/press_release-astana_team_not_invited_by_aso.html That the happenings of last year in Tour de France, prompted the Tour organizers to leave Astana out of the season's most important race, sounds understandable. However, Astana Cycling Team 2008 has nothing to do with the team of last year. We have done everything to change the dynamics of the team. New management, new riders, new philosophy. Only the name of the sponsor remained. Astana Cycling Team February 13, 2008 July 10, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20090102015837/http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/news_press/press_release-astana_team_not_invited_by_aso.html January 2, 2009 usurped mdy-all Dismissal of Vladimir Gusev thumb|upright|alt=Two cyclists, one wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim and the other, to his right, a black and white jersey with red trim, race down a road while spectators watch from beside them|Gusev riding the third stage of the Tour of California, between Modesto and San José. On June 26, the team fired Vladimir Gusev for "irregular values"Edward Wyatt No Failed Test, but Rider Is Fired https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/sports/othersports/26doping.html The New York Times 2008-07-26 2009-09-15 given in an internal doping check as part of the program run by Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard, proprietor of a noted anti-doping system previously used by SAX 2007.Astana in disbelief over ASO decision as Leipheimer vows to fight back http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/special-edition-cycling-news-february-14-2008 Cycling News 2008-02-14 2009-09-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20090726104457/http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/special-edition-cycling-news-february-14-2008 2009-07-26 dead Though the values did not by themselves confirm doping on Gusev's part, they were taken as an indication of it.Astana sacks Gusev for "irregular values" http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/jul08/jul26news2 Cycling News 2008-07-26 2009-07-25 The firing also caused Gusev to be removed from Russia's team for the 2008 Olympic Games,http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/cyclingroad/n214511987.shtml Four cyclists scratched from road race The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games 2008-08-09 2009-07-25 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20090428222455/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/cyclingroad/n214511987.shtml 2009-04-28 though he originally intended to sue the team in time to still take part in the Olympics.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-to-sue-astana-ride-olympics Gusev to sue Astana, ride Olympics Cycling News 2008-08-01 2009-07-25 On September 1, Gusev began his appeal of the firing, with the case eventually reaching the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On June 18, 2009, the CAS ruled that Astana was in the wrong regarding Gusev's dismissal and ordered the team to pay his lost wages, legal fees, and compensatory damages.http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-back-in-action-after-cas-decision Jean-François Quénet Gusev back in action after CAS decision Cycling News 2009-06-18 2009-07-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20090620060925/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-back-in-action-after-cas-decision 20 June 2009 live Return of Lance Armstrong Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong revealed in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine published on September 9 that he intended to return to competitive cycling in 2009, after four years of retirement. Aside from trying to win an eighth Tour de France, his goal would be to raise public awareness and money for cancer research. He would ride for no salary.Douglas Brinkley Lance Armstrong Rides Again http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809 Vanity Fair 2008-09-09 2009-07-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20090530094605/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809 30 May 2009 dead thumb|left|alt=A cyclist in a black jersey with gold trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road|Armstrong training for his 2009 comeback at a time trial in New Braunfels, Texas on November 1. It was speculated immediately that Armstrong would return with team Astana, as it was now headed by Armstrong's sporting director from each of his seven Tour de France victories, Johan Bruyneel.Neal Rogers Source: Lance Armstrong coming back http://www.velonews.com/article/82892 VeloNews September 8, 2008 2009-07-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20090611182002/http://velonews.com/article/82892 11 June 2009 dead Though spokespeople for the team first denied any plans to sign Armstrong, Bruyneel commented two days later during the then-ongoing Vuelta a España that he had spoken to Armstrong about his return, and could not imagine him riding for any team but Astana.Bruyneel has spoken with Armstrong http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/online/peli11.html?e=11 Web Oficial de la Vuelta a España 2008 September 10, 2008 2009-07-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20090610010138/http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/online/peli11.html?e=11 10 June 2009 dead On September 24, Armstrong signed with Astana.Armstrong to return with Astana https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7632837.stm BBC Sport 2008-09-24 2009-07-15 Armstrong's return was not well received by Contador, who asserted that he had earned the right to be a team leader and said he would consider leaving the team if he were relegated to a role supporting Armstrong.The Associated Press Contador Could Leave Astana If Armstrong Signs https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=cycling&id=3604384 ESPN Sports 2008-09-23 2009-07-15 The team gave Contador assurances in the offseason that he would remain Astana's team leader,Associated Press Contador says Astana assured him he's still team leader despite Armstrong https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=3610229 ABC News 2008-09-26 2009-07-15 and Contador remained with the team for 2009, though the controversy over who would in fact be the team's leader lasted well into the 2009 Tour de France. Season victories Date Race Competition Rider Country Location February 21 Volta ao Algarve, Stage 2 UCI Europe Tour Tomas Vaitkus LTU Portugal Lagos February 22 Tour of California, Stage 5 UCI America Tour Levi Leipheimer USA United States Solvang February 24 Tour of California, Overall UCI America Tour Levi Leipheimer USA United States March 5 Vuelta a Murcia, Stage 2 UCI Europe Tour José Luis Rubiera ESP Spain Totana March 23 Ronde van het Groene Hart UCI Europe Tour Tomas Vaitkus LTU Netherlands Woerden March 24 Vuelta a Castilla y León, Stage 1 UCI Europe Tour Alberto Contador ESP Spain La Granja de San Ildefonso March 27 Vuelta a Castilla y León, Stage 4 UCI Europe Tour Alberto Contador ESP Spain Montaña Palentina March 27 Vuelta a Castilla y León, Overall UCI Europe Tour Alberto Contador ESP Spain April 7 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 1 UCI ProTour Alberto Contador ESP Spain Legazpi April 12 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 6 UCI ProTour Alberto Contador ESP Spain Orio April 12 Vuelta al País Vasco, Overall UCI ProTour Alberto Contador ESP Spain April 13 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, Prologue UCI Europe Tour Grégory Rast SUI Turkey Istanbul April 20 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, Points Classification UCI Europe Tour Assan Bazayev KAZ Turkey April 30 Tour de Romandie, Stage 1 UCI ProTour Maxim Iglinsky KAZ Switzerland Saignelégier May 2 Tour de Romandie, Stage 3 UCI ProTour Andreas Klöden GER Switzerland Sion May 5 Tour de Romandie, Overall UCI ProTour Andreas Klöden GER Switzerland June 1 Giro d'Italia, Overall None Alberto Contador ESP Italy June 8 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, Prologue UCI ProTour Levi Leipheimer USA France Avignon June 22 Tour de Suisse, Mountains classification UCI ProTour Maxim Iglinsky KAZ Switzerland July 11 Tour of Austria, Stage 5 UCI Europe Tour René Haselbacher AUT Austria Bad Vöslau July 11 Cascade Cycling Classic, Stage 3 National event Levi Leipheimer USA United States Bend July 13 Cascade Cycling Classic, Overall National event Levi Leipheimer USA United States July 30 Tour de Wallonie, Overall UCI Europe Tour Sergeui Ivanov RUS Belgium August 24 Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama UCI Europe Tour Levi Leipheimer USA Spain Guadarrama September 3 Vuelta a España, Stage 5 None Levi Leipheimer USA Spain Ciudad Real September 13 Vuelta a España, Stage 13 None Alberto Contador ESP Spain Alto de El Angliru September 14 Vuelta a España, Stage 14 None Alberto Contador ESP Spain Fuentes de Invierno September 20 Vuelta a España, Stage 20 None Levi Leipheimer USA Spain Alto de Navacerrada September 21 Vuelta a España, Overall None Alberto Contador ESP Spain September 21 Vuelta a España, Combination classification None Alberto Contador ESP Spain References 30em expanded Category:2008 road cycling season by team Category:XDS Astana Team Category:2008 in Kazakhstani sport