What is happening with the Astana-Qazaqstan team? Will it become a super team with a Chinese license?

A few days ago, the UCI published the provisional list of registered teams for the 2025 season. A list that did not include the Astana team, which has sparked rumors about a possible disappearance of the team or, at least, a change in ownership of its license. A team that is also facing a very poor season in terms of sports performance with a delicate economic situation.

Astana-Qazaqstan facing an uncertain 2025 season

The history of the Astana-Qazaqstan team has always been turbulent: delays in payments, lack of funding, controversial cyclists, erratic results... The 2024 season has been marked by a tremendously poor performance in sports where results, except for Mark Cavendish's victory in the Tour de France which earned him the record for stage wins in the French round, have been absent.

Just 12 victories and only Cavendish's World Tour victory have placed the team in a very delicate situation for the last year of validity of the licenses of the highest category before the next cycle, currently occupying the 21st position, a situation that would make them lose the World Tour category.

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Therefore, the absence of Astana-Qazaqstan in the first list published by the UCI of registered teams in this organization for the 2025 season has only fueled rumors of all kinds regarding the team's continuity. So much so that their general manager, Alexander Vinokourov, quickly came out to deny them, pointing out that it was only a paperwork issue that would be resolved shortly, something that, on the other hand, is not the first time it has happened.

Astana-Qazaqstan should not have economic problems for the next season after the financial injection that will come from the agreement with XDS Carbon-Tech following the deal with the Chinese carbon fiber manufacturer last July, which, in principle, would greatly increase the potential of the Kazakh squad although, as of today, has not yet translated into the announcement of high-profile signings to raise the team's level. Only the addition of Alberto Bettiol, which was announced several months ago, is known.

It is unknown in any case on what terms the agreement with this Chinese company has been reached and whether the ownership of the World Tour license will continue to belong to Alexander Vinokourov or will switch to a Chinese license. Much uncertainty surrounds Astana-Qazaqstan, which, on the other hand, should not surprise regular cycling fans in a team always surrounded by controversies and rumors.