Astana Cycling Team

BUSY WEEKEND FOR PRO TEAM ASTANA

Martinelli assesses the team’s results at the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Tour Cycliste International du Haut Var

Milan, Italy, 20th February, 2012 – Pro Team Astana’s efforts on the dual fronts of the Trofeo Laigueglia and the Tour Cycliste International du Haut Var did not bring the results hoped for at the outset. Astana ended the weekend with Gavazzi and Gasparotto taking fifth and seventh places, respectively, at the Trofeo Laigueglia, while Kessiakoff finished seventh in the second stage of the Haut Var.

Summarising his riders’ performances, Mr Giuseppe Martinelli said: “I cannot be satisfied with the results: Gavazzi in fifth and Gasparotto in seventh does not do justice to the riders’ efforts during the 49th Trofeo Laigueglia. There is no doubt that we played a major part in the race and really made the running, both to chase down the breakaway during the last lap and on the two rough bits at Pinamare and Capo Mele, just a few kilometres from the finishing line. However, at the crucial moment we just lacked that little bit of luck you need in order to turn commitment and strategy into victory.”

Mr Guido Bontempi, meanwhile, provided his assessment of the team’s efforts at Tour du Haut Var: “The team worked well during the two days on the Côte d'Azur. Kessiakoff impressed me: his fitness is improving every day and I expect him to produce a performance at the Tirreno–Adriatico worthy of the great climber that he is.”

Mr Martinelli then moved on to look at Astana's next objectives, saying: “Despite our good preparations through the winter, we are not yet the finished article. We hope to pull off a win as soon as possible, which would give the whole team a confidence boost and repay the hard work we have put in so far.”

Pro Team Astana's next engagements are the Tour de Langkawi, taking place from Friday 24 February to Sunday 4 March, and the Clásica de Almeria, held on Sunday 26 February.