Astana

Astana seemed to be decapitated in 2012. But then Alexandre Vinokourov (38) returned from retirement and he will lead the team from Kazachstan once again.

Vinokourov’s cycling life appeared to have come to an end when he broke his thighbone in the 2011 Tour. Disillusioned he ended his career, but it only took him two months to announce his comeback. ‘‘I cannot leave Astana like this, I also do this for my country’’, said the man from Kazachstan. Thanks to him his team earned the necessary points for its WorldTour license.

Nevertheless Astana is a team with a future, especially in the stage races. Roman Kreuziger and Robert Kiserlovski will be joined by two other general classification talents: Janez Brajkovic and Kevin Seeldraeyers. Borut Bozic has been hired for the sprints.