Vinokurov junior sets out to become the youngest WorldTour DS after an early retirement

The XDS Astana Team staff will have an interesting new member in 2026. While it's no news that the Kazakhstan cycling's legend Alexander Vinokourov is in charge of the whole projects, his name being listed twice on the team staff page from next season is. The 23-year-old Alexandr Vinokurov jr. wrapped up his active racing career at the end of the season after a serious injury in a training accident caused him to miss nearly the entirety of the 2025.

Thus, unlike his twin brother Nicolas who made the jump to WorldTour already in 2024, Alexandr will never make a professional debut. At least not in the saddle. The young Kazakh will not disappear from the cycling world though, as his next steps will lead him into the team car, where Astana hopes he can grow into a successful sports director with a bit of experience.

"In recent seasons, Alex had several injuries, and the last one turned out to be very serious. Yes, he showed strong character and managed to come back, riding several races with the continental team, but his decision to end his career is completely understandable," begins XDS Astana Head Sports Director Alexandr Shefer.

"At the same time, it is great that Alex decided to stay in cycling, completed his studies, passed the exams successfully, and now looks with optimism at a new role."

We are already familiar with trainee cyclists - the concept of when teams invite riders from lower cycling levels to compete with the main team to gain experience, get a taste of the top cycling and prove their talents if they aim to make the jump to professionals. Well, with Vinokurov jr., Astana introduces as to a first-ever (?) trainee sports director.

Coming on-board of a top-5 WorldTour team of 2025 (as per UCI ranking), it's not a realistic expectation for this young rider with no previous experience to jump behind the steering wheel and immediately command his more experienced ex-teammates in the heated race situations.

Instead, Vinokurov Jr. will join the more experienced sports directors of Astana along for selected races of both main and development teams to learn how racing looks from the new perspective. And one day, hopefully, the youngest sports director in WorldTour should become a full-fledged team leader who can call the shots in decisive race moments.

"The internship in both teams, WorldTour and continental, will allow him to gain the necessary experience, confidence, and understand how professional cycling works from the other side. The transition from the bike saddle to the car’s front seat is never easy, any Sports Director will tell you that, so I hope that with proper diligence and determination, Alex will succeed," Shefer concludes.