NORTHWAVE CONTINUES TO DREAM BIG WITH ASTANA

On Saturday, December 14th, the official team presentation of the UCI WorldTour Astana Pro Team took place, in Calpe, Spain. Surrounded by the team’s sponsors and international media, 27 of the 28 riders from the new roster were presented (Artyom Zakharov these days is taking part in the UCI Track World Cup in Brisbane, Australia). Northwave, a point of reference in the cycling shoes and apparel market is proud to renew its partnership with the team. Representing the Kazakhi team for the 2020 season will be three italians, Manuele Boaro, Davide Martinelli e Fabio Felline, that will join Alexander Aranburu (ESP), Zhandos Bizhigitov (KAZ), Hernando Bohorquez (COL), Rodrigo Contreras (COL), Laurens De Vreese (BEL), Daniil Fominykh (KAZ), Omar Fraile (ESP), Jakob Fuglsang (DEN), Yevgeniy Gidich (KAZ), Jonas Gregaard Wilsly (DEN), Dmitriy Gruzdev (KAZ), Hugo Houle (CAN), Ion Izagirre (ESP), Gorka Izagirre (ESP), Miguel Angel Lopez (COL), Alexey Lutsenko (KAZ), Merhawi Kudus (ERI), Yuriy Natarov (KAZ), Vadim Pronskiy (KAZ), Oscar Rodriguez (ESP), Luis Leon Sanchez (ESP), Nikita Stalnov (KAZ), Harold Tejada (COL), Aleksandr Vlasov (RUS) and Artyom Zakharov (KAZ). The team, at its 15th season in the highest level of pro cycling, will wear a unique jersey: the designer honored the biggest victories of the team’s history: the Olympics, Giro d`Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta de España on the backside of the jersey. The athletes will be wearing the new Northwave Extreme Pro Astana custom edition. A second skin for the whole team, the perfect shoe for transferring every watt of energy to the pedal. -Our relentless commitment on research&development pushed us to continue our partnership with the Astana pro team, a partner that shares with us the same values and goals – confirms Davide Rossetti, General manager of Northwave – The multiyear agreement with the Astana Pro team will allow us to strengthen our position in the market. -Today we are starting our 15th season. A long way has been done so far and we have achieved many big goals. But I am sure, that many great and amazing things are still lying further ahead. We are starting the new season completely ready and high motivated for something more. I would like to congratulate all Astana Pro Team on a very beautiful and successful season we had in 2019 and I’d like to wish the guys to reach even bigger successes in the upcoming year. I thank all our sponsors for staying next to us in the new season and for supporting our ambitious sports project, - said Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Pro Team. During the Media Day just after the official part of the team’s presentation, the Astana leaders shared their main goals for the 2020 season. Jakob Fuglsang will take the leading role in the team at the Giro d’Italia, while Miguel Angel Lopez is going to debut at the Tour de France. The national champion of Kazakhstan Alexey Lutsenko will aim the Tour de Flanders and the Ardennes classics before joining Miguel Angel Lopez at the Tour de France. Next to that, Lutsenko will participate in the Olympic Games. - I am really happy to say that I am going to take part in the next Tour de France. It will be my debut in this amazing race, and I am excited to lead the team in France. It will be a big challenge for me, but I will do my best to get there in great shape and to perform at my best. Also, I am sure, I will have a strong and motivated team next to me. Of course, there is still a long way until the beginning of the Tour, and I will have other big goals before it. I am really motivated to start this season in a good way and to obtain some nice results before the Tour de France, - said Miguel Angel Lopez. - This year I am planning to do the Giro d’Italia and it will be a great moment for me to come back to the Italian Grand tour again. This is one of the most beautiful races in the calendar and I have some great memories back in 2016 when we won it together with the team. Actually, it is going to be my first time as the team’s leader in this race and it is a great honor and at the same time a big challenge for me. Also, after the Giro I plan to help Miguel Angel Lopez at the Tour de France before another big goal of 2020 – the Olympic Games in Tokyo, - said Jakob Fuglsang. - This season I would like to do the Ardennes classics because these races suit me really well, but just before it, I am planning to ride the Tour of Flanders as I love this race so much. At the Tour de France, I am going to help Miguel Angel Lopez, but also, I will be aiming to try to win a stage. And, of course, my main goal of the season – the Olympic Games in Tokyo. I want to get there in top shape to try to give my best for a good result, - said Alexey Lutsenko. -we really wish the best of luck to the whole ASTANA cycling team for the upcoming season-