Astana Qazaqstan have introduced the signing of Colombian climber Sergio Higuita, as they proceed to shake-up their roster for 2025 due to new Chinese funding from carbon producer XDS Carbon-Tech.
The crew is hoping the brand new signings will rating sufficient UCI rating factors in 2025 to make sure the crew 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 Team 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 Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe which has seen him choose up stage wins on the Tour de Romandie, Tour de Pologne and Itzulia Basque Country 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 comfortable that we discovered widespread floor, and that this settlement has turn out to be a actuality,” Higuita mentioned.
“Astana is a crew with an incredible legacy in biking, with a wealthy historical past within the WorldTour, and victories in virtually all the most important races on the planet. Moreover, proper now, the crew is reworking into a brand new thrilling mission aimed on the future, with new signings and new sponsors coming in.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, evaluations and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“Overall, 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. Together, we set objectives for the following two years, and our visions aligned. I’m satisfied that I’ll do all the pieces potential to realize all the specified objectives collectively.”
Higuita’s palmarès additionally contains podium placings at Paris-Nice and the Tour de Suisse in addition to high fives at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Il Lombardia.
Team 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 is a really versatile athlete, able to delivering robust leads to virtually any race,” Vinokourov mentioned.
“He can win on hilly terrains, within the mountains, in basic races and stage races. The crew shall be able to help Sergio wherever his possibilities of success are highest.
“For us, this can be a superb 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 mission for the following two seasons.”