Astana Qazaqstan have introduced the signing of Colombian climber Sergio Higuita, as they proceed to shake-up their roster for 2025 because of new Chinese language funding from carbon producer XDS Carbon-Tech.
The workforce is hoping the brand new signings will rating sufficient UCI rating factors in 2025 to make sure the workforce retains its WorldTour place for 2026-2028.
Higuita is the sixth new signing introduced by Astana. He’ll be part of Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious), Diego Ulissi (UAE Group Emirates), Nicola Conci (Alpecin-Deceuninck), Aaron Gate (Burgos-BH) and neo-pro Florian Kajamini in shifting to the Kazakhstani squad. Alberto Bettiol already joined final month by way of a uncommon mid-season switch and any factors he scores in the remainder of the season shall be a part of Astana’s complete for 2024.
27-year-old Higuita makes the swap after a three-year stint with Crimson Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe which has seen him decide up stage wins on the Tour de Romandie, Tour de Pologne and Itzulia Basque Nation along with taking the general title on the 2022 Volta a Catalunya.
Higuita has twice been topped Colombian street champion and has additionally received the 2020 Tour Colombia and a mountain stage on the 2019 Vuelta a España.
“I’m very completely satisfied that we discovered widespread floor, and that this settlement has turn out to be a actuality,” Higuita stated.
“Astana is a workforce with an incredible legacy in biking, with a wealthy historical past within the WorldTour, and victories in virtually all the foremost races on this planet. Furthermore, proper now, the workforce is reworking into a brand new thrilling venture aimed on the future, with new signings and new sponsors coming in.
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“General, I feel that is the place the place I can proceed to develop as knowledgeable rider. Alexandre Vinokourov confirmed nice curiosity and confidence in me. Collectively, we set targets for the subsequent two years, and our visions aligned. I’m satisfied that I’ll do every thing attainable to realize all the specified targets collectively.”
Higuita’s palmarès additionally contains podium placings at Paris-Good and the Tour de Suisse in addition to high fives at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia.
Group boss Alexandre Vinokourov shall be hoping that Higuita can contribute comparable leads to 2025.
“Sergio is a rider who may be very well-known within the peloton. He’s a really versatile athlete, able to delivering robust leads to virtually any race,” Vinokourov stated.
“He can win on hilly terrains, within the mountains, in basic races and stage races. The workforce shall be able to assist Sergio wherever his probabilities of success are highest.
“For us, it is a excellent reinforcement, particularly in week-long stage races, and I’m happy that we discovered widespread floor, and that Higuita shall be a part of our venture for the subsequent two seasons.”
