The XDS Astana workforce confirmed the demotion of Gleb Syritsa to the workforce’s improvement squad for 2025 however have but to formally announce the arrival of Chinese language rider Su Haoyu, as revealed by World Peloton.
The workforce additionally prolonged the contract of Anton Kuzmin by way of 2025.
It isn’t the primary time the workforce has made a late choice to ditch an present rider to make room for a signing. In 2023, the workforce 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 workforce’s new investor, the Chinese language bicycle maker XDS.
Whereas Syritsa was a stable sprinter and has 4 stage wins within the Tour de Langkawi to his identify, the workforce’s prime goal for the season is salvaging their place within the WorldTour, which is at the moment threatened because the workforce have failed to remain within the prime 18 of the UCI Crew Rankings.
“It is no secret that the workforce’s essential aim in 2025 is to safe sufficient rating factors to retain the WorldTour license,” supervisor Alexandre Vinokourov mentioned within the workforce’s press launch.
“To strengthen the workforce, we have made important adjustments to the roster and introduced in a number of specialists to assist push the workforce towards reaching higher outcomes.
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“Moreover, 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. Consequently, Gleb Syritsa will transfer to our Continental workforce. This choice aligns with the pursuits of each the workforce and the rider. “
UCI guidelines enable groups to name up riders from their improvement squads to compete with the WorldTour workforce, and Vinokourov prompt Syritsa may have alternatives to take action.
“For the workforce, it is essential that Gleb absolutely dedicates himself to workforce 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 Improvement workforce.
“In a points-focused technique, some riders might want to put aside their private ambitions within the subsequent season. Nonetheless, if there is a strategy to each assist the workforce and seize alternatives for private progress, why not take it? I imagine that is the optimum resolution for each the workforce and the younger rider.”
“We primarily see him as a dependable domestique in WorldTour races. He proved himself as a stable workforce participant in 2024, incomes respect for his dedication and loyalty in each race,” Vinokourov mentioned.
“His new contract with XDS Astana Crew 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.