The XDS Astana staff confirmed the demotion of Gleb Syritsa to the staff’s growth squad for 2025 however have but to formally announce the arrival of Chinese rider Su Haoyu, as revealed by Global Peloton.
The staff additionally prolonged the contract of Anton Kuzmin by 2025.
It’s not the primary time the staff has made a late choice to ditch an present rider to make room for a signing. In 2023, the staff let Artyom Zakharov go to open the door to signing Mark Cavendish and Cees Bol.
The signing of Su is probably going associated to the arrival of the staff’s new investor, the Chinese bicycle maker XDS.
While Syritsa was a strong sprinter and has 4 stage wins within the Tour de Langkawi to his title, the staff’s prime goal for the season is salvaging their place within the WorldTour, which is at the moment threatened because the staff have failed to remain within the prime 18 of the UCI Team Rankings.
“It’s no secret that the staff’s major aim in 2025 is to safe sufficient rating factors to retain the WorldTour license,” supervisor Alexandre Vinokourov mentioned within the staff’s press launch.
“To strengthen the staff, we have made vital modifications to the roster and introduced in a number of specialists to assist push the staff towards reaching higher outcomes.
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“Additionally, throughout our December coaching camp, we carried out particular person conferences with every rider to refine their race calendars and set targets for the season. As a end result, Gleb Syritsa will transfer to our Continental staff. This choice aligns with the pursuits of each the staff and the rider. “
UCI guidelines enable groups to name up riders from their growth squads to compete with the WorldTour staff, and Vinokourov urged Syritsa may have alternatives to take action.
“For the staff, it is essential that Gleb totally dedicates himself to staff goals in races the place he is chosen for the primary squad. For Gleb, it is essential to have the possibility to pursue his personal ambitions, which he may have with the Development staff.
“In a points-focused technique, some riders might want to put aside their private ambitions within the subsequent season. However, if there is a method to each help the staff and seize alternatives for private progress, why not take it? I consider that is the optimum resolution for each the staff and the younger rider.”
“We primarily see him as a dependable domestique in WorldTour races. He proved himself as a strong staff participant in 2024, incomes respect for his dedication and loyalty in each race,” Vinokourov mentioned.
“His new contract with XDS Astana Team and his place in the primary squad will enable us to make use of him strategically within the UCI WorldTour calendar, the place nearly all of rating factors are contested.”
The signing of Su is predicted to be introduced later this week as the ultimate rider of the 30-man squad.