The team XDS Astana has just revealed the seven riders who will defend the team's colors during the Tour Down Under (January 21-26). And it is with ambition that she will present herself in Australia since she will be the champion of Italy Alberto Bettiol winner of the opening prologue two years ago which will take the Kazakh team. Alongside the former winner of the Tour of Flanderswe find a solid team since the vice-champion of Colombia Sergio Higuita will also be on the trip and will try to get involved in the fight for final victory just like the three-time reigning African champion Henok Mulubrhanwhich will focus on the sprint stages.
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Start the season off right
To support them the Italian Nicola Conci and the young Colombian Harold Martin Lopez will be valuable assets as soon as the road rises. Finally, for the plain stages XDS Astana will rely on experience Aaron Gate (34 years old) who will make his debut under his new colors, and on the Dutchman Ide Schelling who completes the team. After a very complicated 2024 exercise concluded with a 21st place in the UCI team rankings, the formation ofAlexandre Vinokourovled for the occasion by Mark Renshaw et Stefano Zaniniwill want to start their season in a good way and set in motion a positive dynamic.