2024 Season Review | Astana Qazaqstan Team: Mark Cavendish's Tour de France history, big signings for 2025

Astana Qazaqstan Team concluded their 2024 season ranked 21st in the UCI World Tour standings, accumulating 6563.2 points. This was one position below their 2023 ranking, making them the lowest-ranked team among the World Tour squads.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Astana Qazaqstan missed the UCI registration deadline for the 2025 season, raising concerns about their future in top-level cycling. This uncertainty was clarified by Team Manager Alexandre Vinokourov, who explained to Cyclism'Actu that there was a question about the wording of their bank guarantee document. He noted, “Indeed, during the process of submitting documents for confirmation of our WorldTour license, a question arose regarding the wording of the bank guarantee document, and clarifications were requested, which the team provided.”

Astana Qazaqstan Team, sponsored by the Samruk-Kazyna coalition of state-owned Kazakh companies, has a proud history in professional cycling. Named after Kazakhstan's capital city, Astana, the team earned UCI ProTeam status in its first year back in 2007. Over the years, they have enjoyed success in the Tour de France and other Grand Tours, including the overall Tour de France victories in 2009 with Alberto Contador and in 2014 with Vincenzo Nibali. Additionally, the team won the Giro d'Italia twice in 2008 and 2013, also under the leadership of Contador and Nibali, respectively. However, their performance in recent years has shown a steady decline, and they now face the challenge of returning to the heights they once knew.

Astana’s 2024 season saw limited success, particularly in the Classics. The team was largely absent from the front of the peloton during the major one-day races. It was a clear indication of their struggles to compete with the leading teams in this crucial area of the sport. This lack of presence in the Classics is a concern they will need to address if they hope to regain their former standing in professional cycling.

Despite a challenging season, Astana Qazaqstan managed to secure 12 race victories, with a few standout performances deserving recognition

Lorenzo Fortunato, 28, was Astana’s most reliable rider throughout 2024. He earned the team’s highest individual points total with 130 points, thanks to a solid 12th place finish in the Giro d’Italia General Classification. Fortunato also placed 16th in the Vuelta a España, showcasing his consistency over the season. His most notable achievement was winning the mountains classification at the Critérium du Dauphiné. With such promising results, there is hope that Fortunato will make his Tour de France debut next season, potentially adding another strong climber to Astana’s Grand Tour line up.

The defining moment of Astana’s season, and perhaps of recent Tour de France history, of course came when Mark Cavendish claimed his 35th stage win, surpassing Eddy Merckx’s legendary record. Cavendish’s victory silenced the doubters and cemented his legacy as the greatest sprinter of all time. Reflecting on his achievement, Cavendish shared with Orla Chennaoui for Eurosport: “I have always said it would just be one more, but actually I think the very fact, what I have come to learn retrospectively, is that it was talked about because it didn’t seem possible. You do it and it becomes possible."

His determination and resilience in the face of setbacks, including injuries and illness, were an inspiration not only to his team but to cycling fans who have been willing the man from the Isle of Man to this record for many years now. Cavendish’s career, which includes two Green Jersey victories at the Tour de France, may now come to a close, leaving a significant gap for Astana to fill. Michael Mørkøv, his lead-out man, played a crucial role in guiding him to this historic moment. Cavendish himself has praised Mørkøv as the best in the business, a sentiment echoed by former sprinting rival Marcel Kittel.

Dmitriy Gruzdev, 38, delivered a double victory for Astana, clinching both the Kazakh National Road Race and Time Trial Championships. It was his fourth time trial win, his first since 2016, showcasing his enduring strength. Additionally, Ivan Smirnov secured the team's final victory of the season with a stage win at the Tour de Kyushu in Japan, a fitting end to a turbulent year for Astana. “I gave it my all in the sprint and managed to win, which I’m very happy about. It’s nice to finish the race with a victory,” said Smirnov in a team press release.

Astana Qazaqstan Team’s management has already been active in the transfer market, aiming to strengthen the squad for the 2025 season. Notable signings include:

Wout Poels The experienced Dutchman Wout Poels will join the team next year, bringing a wealth of Grand Tour experience. Poels, known for his support roles in successful teams, will be expected to add depth to Astana’s roster, particularly in mountainous stages where the team has struggled to make an impact.

Matteo Malucelli Italian sprinter Matteo Malucelli, who has raced for teams in Italy, Spain, Russia, and Asia, will make his World Tour debut with Astana in 2025 at the age of 31. Team Manager Alexandr Vinokourov praised his potential, saying, “Malucelli was impressive in Le Tour de Langkawi, as well as in several other races, and I believe he can be a great asset to our team next year as a powerful sprinter.” With the retirement of Cavendish, Malucelli is expected to help fill the gap in Astana’s sprinting lineup.

Clément Champoussin French rider Clément Champoussin, 26, has signed a two-year deal with Astana after a solid 2024 season with Arkéa–B&B Hotels. His performances, including victories in the Giro della Toscana and second place in the Arctic Race of Norway, highlight his potential as a climber and stage racer. “I am excited to join Astana Qazaqstan Team, a project that has always been an inspiration to me,” Champoussin said in a team press release.

Astana Qazaqstan’s 2024 season was a mixed bag, with a few bright spots overshadowed by an overall lacklustre performance. Of course, Cavendish’s 35th Tour de France win was the team’s ultimate goal for the season, and from that point of view they achieved what they set out to do. But, for the team to return to its former glory, several key areas need attention:

Reinforcing the Classics Squad: The team’s absence from the Classics was glaring. Astana needs to develop a stronger Classics squad to compete in these prestigious one-day races. This could involve nurturing young talent or acquiring experienced Classics specialists.

Boosting the sprint Line-Up: With Mark Cavendish’s retirement, the team needs to identify and support new sprint leaders. The signing of Malucelli is a start, but Astana should also focus on improving their lead-out train to better position their sprinters in the stage defining moments.

Developing stage race contenders: While Lorenzo Fortunato showed promise, Astana’s roster lacks a clear Grand Tour contender. Investing in a young rider with potential or supporting their current stage racers with better training and tactical guidance could yield dividends in future seasons.

Enhancing the team’s support infrastructure: Astana Qazaqstan Team has been known for its professional and scientific approach, as highlighted by their visits to the Red Bull Performance Center. Building on this foundation and further integrating cutting-edge training and recovery techniques can help bridge the gap with the top teams.

This is a generous score, thanks largely to Mark Cavendish victory at the Tour de France. Ultimately, Astana Qazaqstan Team has a long road ahead if they wish to recapture their past glory. The team’s history in the Tour de France and other Grand Tours is a reminder of what they are capable of when at their best.

However, the competition has never been tougher, and Astana will need a combination of smart recruitment, tactical changes, and good fortune to rise through the UCI rankings in the coming years. For now, they are laying the groundwork, and their efforts in 2025 will show whether they can begin to close the gap with cycling’s elite once more.