Astana Qazaqstan Team confirm return of Michele Gazzoli after doping ban and time spent in developmental team

Michele Gazzoli tested positive for tuaminoheptane at the Volta ao Algarve 2022 and served a one-year UCI ban. In August, Astana Qazaqstan Team brought him back for their development team (he won a stage in the Arctic Race and 2 of the Tour of Bulgaria) and now they have announced him as a new rider for 2024.

Obviously, Gazzoli did not rejoin the team immediately after his suspension because there was no space in the Astana squad and now he is delighted to be back in the first team, signing for another two seasons.

“I am very happy to re-sign a contract with Astana Qazaqstan Team. This team gave me an opportunity to revive after a difficult period, and for me this project is like a family that believed in me and did a lot to ensure that I was able to return to high results. In the next two years I will try to do everything possible to repay the team with victories and podiums for believing in me and the chance I got. As a part of Astana and in the jersey of this team, I feel great motivation and desire to work for the sake of our success together,” said Gazzoli to his team's website.

“In the second half of the season, we gave Michele the opportunity to prove himself, to prove that he deserves another chance. And the rider proved himself from the best side, showed personal results, and also proved himself as a good team player, as, for example, at the Tour of Turkey, where excellent work was done. Michele has potential both in one–day races and in short stage races, he can also be an excellent assistant for the team leaders, both in sprints and on hilly stages,” added Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team.