2009 Astana season
{{Short description|2009 season for the Astana cycling team}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox cycling team season
| team = Astana
| season = 2009
| men = yes
| image = Volvo 4X4 Astana 1.jpg
| image_caption = The Astana Volvo team car in 2009.
| ucicode = AST
| status = UCI ProTour team
| wrrank = 1st (1100 points){{cite web |title=UCI Rankings |url=https://www.uci.org/road/rankings |website=uci.org |access-date=13 March 2019 |archive-date=31 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831022401/https://www.uci.org/road/rankings |url-status=live }}
| chairman =
| owner =
| manager = Johan Bruyneel
| sponsor = Samruk-Kazyna
| base = Kazakhstan
| bikes = Trek
| groupset = SRAM
| onedaywins = none
| stageraceoverall = 5
| stageracestages = 13
| gtwins = 1
| natcwins = 2
| mostwins = Alberto Contador (10 wins)
| bestrider = Alberto Contador (1st)
| kitimage =
| previous = 2008
| next = 2010
}}
The 2009 season for the {{UCI team code|AST|2009}} cycling team began in January with the Tour Down Under and ended in October with the Giro di Lombardia. As a UCI ProTour team, they were automatically invited to and obliged to attend every UCI ProTour event, and were invited to every event in the inaugural UCI World Calendar as well.
With a strong identity as a stage racing team, Astana's leaders in 2009 were Alberto Contador, Levi Leipheimer, and Lance Armstrong, who returned to competitive cycling in 2009 after a four-year absence. The team's manager up through the Tour de France was Johan Bruyneel.
The team's biggest success in 2009 was Contador's overall victory in the Tour de France. Elsewhere, their main successes in 2009 were in small stage races, with Contador winning the Volta ao Algarve and the Vuelta al País Vasco as well as two stages in Paris–Nice, and Leipheimer winning the Tour of California and the Vuelta a Castilla y León. The team also won the team classification at numerous events. The team failed to live up to lofty expectations in the Giro d'Italia; Leipheimer was widely considered a favorite for victory, as was Armstrong before a collarbone injury sustained weeks before, but Leipheimer finished sixth overall and the team did not win any stage.
Away from competition, the team's season was marked by financial troubles with their sponsors in the Kazakhstani government, which threatened the team's makeup and very existence for a time. The return of Alexander Vinokourov from retirement and a ban for doping, which ended just as the 2009 Tour de France did, changed the team's makeup for 2010.
2009 team roster
Ages as of January 1, 2009
{{Cycling squad start}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Lance Armstrong|nat=USA|birthdate={{Birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1971|9|18}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Assan Bazayev|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1981|2|22}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Janez Brajkovič|nat=SLO|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1983|12|18}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Alberto Contador|nat=ESP|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1982|12|6}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Valeriy Dmitriyev|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1984|10|10}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Alexsandr Dyachenko|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1983|10|17}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Jesús Hernández|nat=ESP|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1981|9|28}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Chris Horner|nat=USA|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1971|10|23}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Maxim Iglinskiy|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1981|4|18}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Roman Kireyev|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1987|2|14}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Andreas Klöden|nat=GER|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1975|6|22}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Berik Kupeshov|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1987|1|30}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Levi Leipheimer|nat=USA|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1973|10|24}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Steve Morabito|nat=SUI|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1983|1|30}}}}
{{Cycling squad mid}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Dmitriy Muravyev|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1979|2|11}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Daniel Navarro|nat=ESP|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1983|7|8}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Benjamín Noval|nat=ESP|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1979|1|23}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Sérgio Paulinho|nat=POR|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1980|3|26}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Yaroslav Popovych|nat=UKR|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1980|1|4}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Bolat Raimbekov|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1986|12|25}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Grégory Rast|nat=SUI|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1980|1|17}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Sergey Renev|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1985|1|3}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=José Luis Rubiera|nat=ESP|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1973|1|27}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Michael Schär|nat=SUI|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1986|9|29}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Tomas Vaitkus|nat=LTU|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1982|2|4}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Alexander VinokourovVinokourov joined the team on August 29, at the beginning of the Vuelta a España|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1973|9|16}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Andrey Zeits|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|8|29|1986|12|14}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=Haimar Zubeldia|nat=ESP|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2009|1|1|1977|4|1}}}}
{{Cycling squad end}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Riders who joined the team for the 2009 season{{cite web|date=2008-10-27 |title=Rider transfers for 2008-2009 |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/transfers08/riders |website=Cycling News|access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629030929/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2008%2Ftransfers08%2Friders |archive-date=29 June 2009 |url-status=live }}
| class="wikitable" | |
| Rider
!2008 team | |
|---|---|
| Lance Armstrong | ex-pro ({{UCI team code|DSC|2005}}, 2005) |
| Valeriy Dmitriyev | Ulan |
| Alexsandr Dyachenko | Ulan |
| Jesús Hernández | Relax–GAM |
| Yaroslav Popovych | {{UCI team code|SIL|2008}} |
| Bolat Raimbekov | Ulan |
| Sergey Renev | Ulan |
| Haimar Zubeldia | {{UCI team code|EUS|2008}} |
{{col-2}}
;Riders who left the team during or after the 2008 season
| class="wikitable" | |
| Rider
!2009 team | |
|---|---|
| Antonio Colom | {{UCI team code|KAT|2009}} |
| Koen de Kort | {{UCI team code|SKS|2009}} |
| Thomas Frei | {{UCI team code|BMC|2009}} |
| Vladimir Gusev | No contract (signed with {{UCI team code|KAT|2010}} in 2010) |
| René Haselbacher | {{UCI team code|VBG|2009}} |
| Sergeui Ivanov | {{UCI team code|KAT|2009}} |
| Benoît Joachim | Continental Team Differdange |
| Aaron Kemps | {{UCI team code|RRC|2009}} |
| Julien Mazet | Auber 93 |
{{col-end}}
One-day races
= Spring classics =
By their own admission, Astana did not aim for the classics.{{cite web |author=Steve Frothingham |title=Bruyneel on Astana: There is no stronger Tour team |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/01/road/bruyneel-on-astana-there-is-no-stronger-tour-team_71649 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120718044550/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/01/road/bruyneel-on-astana-there-is-no-stronger-tour-team_71649 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |work=VeloNews |date=2008-01-30 |access-date=2011-01-30 }} Astana's first one-day race of the season was Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. Their best-placed rider was Michael Schär in 35th.{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake|title=Hushovd delivers in messy finale |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/hetvolk09/?id=results |work=CyclingNews |date=2009-02-28 |access-date=2009-07-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090624131857/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/hetvolk09/?id=results| archive-date= 24 June 2009 | url-status= live}} Aside from their one podium finish, with Maxim Iglinsky in E3 Prijs Vlaanderen,{{cite web |title=Pozzato blasts Boonen in Belgium's E3 Prijs |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/E3prijs09/?id=results |work=CyclingNews |date=2009-03-28 |access-date=2009-12-13 |archive-date=2009-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712064041/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/E3prijs09/?id=results |url-status=live }} the seventh place attained by Daniel Navarro in the Gran Premio di Lugano{{cite web|title=Pauriol claims second Grand Prix in Lugano |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/mar09/gplugano09 |work=CyclingNews |date=2009-03-01 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619200550/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Fmar09%2Fgplugano09 |archive-date=19 June 2009 |url-status=live }} was the team's best result in a one-day race in the spring season. Through Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, Milan–San Remo (which saw the participation of Armstrong), the Tour of Flanders, Gent–Wevelgem, Paris–Roubaix, the Amstel Gold Race, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège–Bastogne–Liège they did not have a rider finish higher than 16th (Assan Bazayev in Milan – San Remo){{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake and Susan Westemeyer|title=Cavendish pips Haussler at the line |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/msr09/?id=results |work=CyclingNews |date=2009-03-21 |access-date=2009-07-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090620233434/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/msr09/?id=results| archive-date= 20 June 2009 | url-status= live}}
= Fall races =
Astana raced a light schedule in the fall, with the pinnacle of their season having come at the Tour de France. The team sent squads to the Clásica de San Sebastián, Vattenfall Cyclassics, the GP Ouest-France, the Giro dell'Emilia, the GP Beghelli, the Giro del Piemonte, and the Giro di Lombardia. Their best results from this crop of races came from Alexander Vinokourov, who finished seventh in Lombardy and fifth in the Giro dell'Emilia.{{cite web
|author=Shane Stokes
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/103rd-giro-di-lombardia-his/results
|title=Gilbert triumphs in Lombardia
|date=2009-10-17
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091121191510/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/103rd-giro-di-lombardia-his/results| archive-date= 21 November 2009 | url-status= live}}{{cite web
|author=Gregor Brown
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/103rd-giro-di-lombardia-his/results
|title=Gesink rules on San Luca to win Emilia
|date=2009-10-10
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091121191510/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/103rd-giro-di-lombardia-his/results| archive-date= 21 November 2009 | url-status= live}}
Stage races
File:Armstrong and Sherwen 2.jpg before his first race back from retirement, the Tour Down Under.|alt=A man in his late thirties in a blue and white cycling jersey with yellow trim stands next to a man in his mid-fifties wearing a light blue collared shirt and holding a microphone. They stand in front of a red backdrop, and a woman in a cowboy hat is partly visible behind the cyclist.]]
The first event in which the team participated in 2009 was the Tour Down Under. As it was Armstrong's first event back after four years of retirement, he made many headlines{{cite web |title=Lance is the word... but not the favorite |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jan09/tdu09/ |website=Cycling News|access-date=2009-07-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090628210347/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jan09/tdu09/| archive-date= 28 June 2009 | url-status= live}} and was even specially promoted on the event's webpage, though neither he nor the team were especially competitive in the event. Armstrong finished 29th overall, with the same time as Jesús Hernández in 28th as the best-placed Astana riders.{{cite web|author=Les Clarke |title=Chicchi claims in messy finale |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jan09/TDU09/?id=results/TDU096 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-01-25 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624134021/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jan09/TDU09/?id=results%2FTDU096 |archive-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=live }} The team did not finish in the top ten in any stage. In February, the team competed in the Tour of California, where Leipheimer won the individual time trial in Solvang and the Tour itself for the third straight year. The team also won the teams classification.{{cite web |author=Kirsten Robbins |title=Levi proven unbeatable in the Solvang Time Trial |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/california09/?id=results/california096 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-02-20 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-09-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090902203936/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/california09/?id=results%2Fcalifornia096 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|author=Laura Weislo and Kirsten Robbins |title=Leipheimer's triple tour triumph |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/california09/?id=results/california098 |work=CyclingNews |date=2009-02-22 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090617223004/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/feb09/california09/?id=results%2Fcalifornia098 |archive-date=17 June 2009 |url-status=live }} While the Tour of California was ongoing, the team sent another eight-man squad including Contador and Andreas Klöden to the Volta ao Algarve. Contador and Klöden were first and third, respectively, in the time trial in Stage 4,{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Tour champion Contador makes early-season mark in Algarve |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/feb09/algarve09/algarve094 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-02-21 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712061655/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Ffeb09%2Falgarve09%2Falgarve094 |url-status=live }} giving Contador the overall lead which he retained through the conclusion of the race the next day.{{cite web|author=Gregor Brown |title=Haussler wins final Algarve stage, Contador overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/feb09/algarve09/algarve095 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-02-22 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624134245/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Ffeb09%2Falgarve09%2Falgarve095 |archive-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=live }}
File:Levi Leipheimer Yellow Jersey.jpg.|alt=A bearded man in his mid-thirties stands in front of a partly visible woman who is zipping up the back of his yellow cycling jersey. He wears a black baseball cap with sunglasses on the cap.]]
At Paris–Nice in March, Contador appeared well in line to repeat his victory there from two years prior, winning the opening individual time trial {{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake and Jean-François Quénet |title=Contador quickly steps up to favourite's status |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/parisnice09/?id=results/parisnice091/castillaleon095 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-03-08 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2012-10-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016071524/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/parisnice09/?id=results%2Fparisnice091%2Fcastillaleon095 |url-status=live }} and the mountainous sixth stage.{{cite web|author=Bjorn Haake |title=Contador takes control |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/parisnice09/?id=results/parisnice096 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-03-13 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618162748/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/parisnice09/?id=results%2Fparisnice096 |archive-date=18 June 2009 |url-status=live }} He dramatically faltered in Stage 7, however, losing the yellow jersey and three minutes to Luis León Sánchez, and ultimately finishing fourth. He was unable to chase down Sánchez because of what was later blamed on dietary problems.{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake |title=Sánchez topples Contador |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/parisnice09/?id=results/parisnice097 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-03-14 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704190753/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/mar09/parisnice09/?id=results%2Fparisnice097 |url-status=live }} The team experienced both success and hardship in the Vuelta a Castilla y León later in the month. Leipheimer won the event overall, with Contador having ridden the event in support for him.{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake |title=Valverde takes another stage, Leipheimer the overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/mar09/castillaleon09/castillaleon095 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-03-27 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090704190726/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Fmar09%2Fcastillaleon09%2Fcastillaleon095 |url-status=live }} The first day, however, Armstrong was involved in a crash and taken to the hospital with was later revealed as a fractured clavicle.{{cite web |title=Sobrino scores one for the locals |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/mar09/castillaleon09/castillaleon091 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-03-23 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701114234/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Fmar09%2Fcastillaleon09%2Fcastillaleon091 |url-status=live }} The injury was thought to take away from Armstrong's previously high odds to win the Giro d'Italia, and there was briefly speculation that he would even pull out of the Giro because of the injury.{{cite news |author=Samuel Abt |title=Armstrong Faces Race to Compete in Giro d'Italia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/sports/cycling/31iht-BIKE.html |work=The New York Times |date=2009-03-30 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401214749/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/31/sports/cycling/31iht-BIKE.html |url-status=live }}
In April, Contador claimed a convincing victory in the Vuelta al País Vasco, taking the race lead by winning the mountainous Stage 3 and dominating the final time trial.{{cite web|author=Monika Prell |title=Contador storms to stage, overall lead |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/apr09/paisvasco09/?id=results/paisvasco093 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-04-07 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623020223/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/apr09/paisvasco09/?id=results%2Fpaisvasco093 |archive-date=23 June 2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Monika Prell |title=Contador untouchable in Basque country |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/apr09/paisvasco09/?id=results/paisvasco096 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-04-11 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712052248/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/apr09/paisvasco09/?id=results%2Fpaisvasco096 |url-status=live }} Though they did not race as Astana due to UCI rules, Armstrong, Leipheimer, and Chris Horner took part in the Tour of the Gila at the end of April and early May in what was Armstrong's first race back from the collarbone injury, with Leipheimer and Armstrong finishing in the top two places.{{cite web|author=Kirsten Robbins |title=Flying Zajicek shows V means victory |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/apr09/gila09/gila095 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-03 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624133947/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Fapr09%2Fgila09%2Fgila095 |archive-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=live }} With a squad made up of riders that normally ride in support for others, the team took a stage win (Klöden) and second overall (Janez Brajkovič) in the Giro del Trentino, also in April.{{cite web |title=Astana 1-2 in Arco |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/apr09/trentino09/trentino091 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-04-22 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712071014/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Fapr09%2Ftrentino09%2Ftrentino091 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Basso back, Di Luca stage |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2009/apr09/trentino09/trentino094 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-04-25 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2010-06-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621033406/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road%2F2009%2Fapr09%2Ftrentino09%2Ftrentino094 |url-status=live }}
Astana participated in the Volta a Catalunya in May, while the Giro d'Italia was ongoing. The team did not win any stage, but Haimar Zubeldia took third overall in the event, and the team won the teams classification.{{cite web|title=Henderson takes F1 finale |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/may09/catalunya09/?id=results/catalunya097 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-24 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090606052649/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/may09/catalunya09/?id=results%2Fcatalunya097 |archive-date=6 June 2009 |url-status=live }} In the Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré in June, Contador was thought to be a favorite for victory,{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet |title=A surprise winner on a surprising parcours? |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jun09/dauphinelibere09/ |website=Cycling News|access-date=2009-07-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090624132205/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jun09/dauphinelibere09/| archive-date= 24 June 2009 | url-status= live}} but he did not seem to try his hardest to win, not attacking or taking any pulls on the mountainous Stage 5 and seeming to work for Alejandro Valverde on the race's last two days.{{cite web|author=Jean-François Quénet |title=Moncoutié wins again 10 years later |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jun09/dauphinelibere09/?id=results/dauphinelibere097 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-06-13 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625185539/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jun09/dauphinelibere09/?id=results%2Fdauphinelibere097 |archive-date=25 June 2009 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|author=Jean-François Quénet |title=A first for Clement, a last for Valverde? |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jun09/dauphinelibere09/?id=results/dauphinelibere098 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-06-14 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629021254/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/jun09/dauphinelibere09/?id=results%2Fdauphinelibere098 |archive-date=29 June 2009 |url-status=live }} The team next took part in the Tour de Suisse, with Klöden in fourth their highest-placed rider.{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Cancellara captures Suisse victory |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/73rd-tour-de-suisse-2009-upt/stages/stage-9/report |website=Cycling News|date=2009-06-21 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624003853/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/73rd-tour-de-suisse-2009-upt/stages/stage-9/report |archive-date=2009-06-24 |url-status=dead }}
Astana sent squads to the Brixia Tour, the Tour de Pologne, the Tour of Ireland, the Eneco Tour, the Tour of Missouri, and Franco–Belge, but did not obtain a stage win, podium finish, or classification victory in any of them. The squad sent to the Tour de l'Ain was more successful. Chris Horner obtained the race lead after the individual time trial in stage 3B, which was won by Alexander Vinokourov riding for the Kazakh national team.{{cite web |title=Vinokourov returns to winning in l'Ain TT |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-2-1/stage-3b/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-08-11 |access-date=2009-12-13 |archive-date=2012-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905131853/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-2-1/stage-3b/results |url-status=live }} Though Horner fell to second behind Tour de l'Ain champion Rein Taaramäe the next day as the race concluded, he did win the points classification.{{cite web |title=Cofidis sweeps Horner aside |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-2-1/stage-4/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-08-12 |access-date=2009-12-13 |archive-date=2012-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905131935/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/tour-de-lain-2-1/stage-4/results |url-status=live }}
Grand Tours
= Giro d'Italia =
Astana was one of 22 teams which participated in the Giro d'Italia. Contador chose to skip the Giro, despite his status as reigning champion, in order to concentrate on the Tour de France.{{cite web |author=VeloNews.com |title=Contador watching Giro on TV as he prepares for Tour |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/contador-watching-giro-on-tv-as-he-prepares-for-tour_91653 |work=VeloNews |date=2009-05-06 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2012-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927190939/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/contador-watching-giro-on-tv-as-he-prepares-for-tour_91653 |url-status=live }} The squad Astana sent to the Giro included Armstrong, in his first Grand Tour since the 2005 Tour de France and first ever Giro, and Leipheimer, who was considered to be a favorite to win the event.{{cite news |author=Juliet Macur |title=Leipheimer Is Poised to Break Away in the Giro d'Italia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/sports/cycling/10cycling.html |work=The New York Times |date=May 10, 2009 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613224726/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/sports/cycling/10cycling.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |author=Gregor Brown |title=Garzelli tips Leipheimer for Giro |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/sports/cycling/10cycling.html |website=Cycling News|date=May 10, 2009 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2022-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613224726/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/sports/cycling/10cycling.html?_r=1 |url-status=live }} Support riders on the squad included Yaroslav Popovych, Chris Horner, and Janez Brajkovič.
The team started well, coming in third place in the team time trial in Stage 1, putting Leipheimer and Armstrong 13 seconds off the race lead.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title=A tale of two teams, as Columbia puts Cavendish in pink |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro091 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-09 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621002900/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro091 |archive-date=21 June 2009 |url-status=live }} In the first mountain stage three days later, Leipheimer finished with Popovych and Horner with the same time as stage winner Danilo Di Luca, while Armstrong lost 15 seconds.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title=Di Luca still the cold-blooded killer |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro094 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-12 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628192517/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro094 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |url-status=live }} The next day, Armstrong lost nearly three minutes and effectively lost any chance in the General Classification, while Leipheimer remained within ten seconds of stage winner Denis Menchov.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title=Six firm favorites |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro095 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-13 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629015052/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro095 |archive-date=29 June 2009 |url-status=live }} Leipheimer was fourth overall after that stage and remained there until Stage 12, the very long and irregular individual time trial in Cinque Terre, where he was the only rider within a minute of the winning time put up by Menchov and moved to third overall.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title=Russian juggernaut's pedals pound their way to pink |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0912 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-21 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628050304/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0912 |archive-date=28 June 2009 |url-status=live }} Horner withdrew from the race after Stage 10, after sustaining a leg injury that for a time prevented him from even being able to stand.{{cite news |author=Juliet Macur |title=Teammate of Giro Favorite Is Out After Injury |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/21/sports/21cycle.html |work=The New York Times |date=2009-05-20 |access-date=2011-01-30}}
Leipheimer would fall from a podium position days later, though. After stages won by sprinters and breakaways, Stage 16, with a summit finish at Monte Petrano, was the next real test for riders aiming for the General Classification. Leipheimer was dropped by other leading riders on the climb and wound up losing almost three minutes on the stage, to fall to sixth overall.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title="I came here for a fight": Sastre launches bid for victory |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0916 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-25 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624132159/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0916 |archive-date=24 June 2009 |url-status=live }} With their GC hopes all but dashed, Astana decided to try for stage wins on the remaining mountain days in the Giro. Armstrong attacked on Stage 17 and got clear of the leading group, but was unable to bridge to the man in first position on the road, Franco Pellizotti, who went on to win the stage.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title=Menchov tightens grip on pink – but still room for a crisis or two |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0917 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-26 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623015817/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0917 |archive-date=23 June 2009 |url-status=live }} Ultimately, Astana did not win any stage at the Giro, but they did win the Trofeo Fast Team, beating {{UCI team code|THR|2009a}} by over 24 minutes.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan |title=From Russia to Roma, with love: Menchov falls for maglia rosa |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0921 |website=Cycling News|date=2009-05-31 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623003414/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0921 |archive-date=23 June 2009 |url-status=live }}
= Tour de France =
File:Alberto Contador (Tour de France 2009 - Stage 17).jpg champion Contador|alt=Close-up of a cyclist in a yellow jersey, wearing yellow-rimmed sunglasses and a yellow helmet. His bicycle is not visible, but he is in riding position. A spectator is partly visible behind him.]]
The team was one of 20 to receive an invitation to the Tour de France. Contador, Leipheimer, and Armstrong were all named to the team. There was much speculation and controversy, which began when Armstrong first signed with the team,{{cite web |author=ESPN.com news services |title=Contador says Armstrong could pose 'difficult' situation on team |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=3604414 |publisher=ESPN |date=2008-09-24 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2008-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201155406/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=3604414 |url-status=live }} over who would be the team's protected rider in the Tour. Though Armstrong's express goal in returning from retirement was to win an eighth Tour de France,{{cite news |author=FOXNews.com |title=Lance Armstrong to Return for 2009 Tour de France |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/lance-armstrong-to-return-for-2009-tour-de-france |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2009-07-07 |work=Fox News |archive-date=2009-08-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803133752/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,419862,00.html |url-status=live }} Contador had won his last three Grand Tours and insisted that he deserved leadership of the team and hinted that he might leave if forced to support Armstrong.{{cite web |author=Dale Robertson |title=Cycling Notebook:Contador an Armstrong rival? |url=http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6021406.html |work=Houston Chronicle |date=2008-09-25 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2008-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080928060236/http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6021406.html |url-status=live }} Bruyneel assured Contador that he would be the leader before the season began. Contador was also publicly named team leader shortly before the Tour began.{{cite web |author=AFP & Bike Radar |title=Contador named Astana's Tour leader |url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/contador-named-astanas-tour-leader-22177 |work=Bike Radar |date=2009-06-25 |access-date=2009-07-07| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090628084304/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/contador-named-astanas-tour-leader-22177| archive-date= 28 June 2009 | url-status= live}}
The team showed well in the Stage 1 individual time trial, with Contador, Klöden, Leipheimer, and Armstrong all finishing in the top ten, and Contador just 19 seconds off the time put up by stage winner Fabian Cancellara.{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Spartacus pounds his way to maillot jaune; And guess what: Contador is right up there with him |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-1/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-04 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090810223403/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-1/results |archive-date=2009-08-10 |url-status=dead }} Two days later, a surprising move made by {{UCI team code|THR|2009b}} resulted in the field being split, as eight members of that team pushed a 28-man breakaway toward the finish line ahead of the main peloton. Armstrong, Popovych, and Zubeldia were in the first group, as Popovych and Zubeldia had helped to drive the break, while Leipheimer, Contador, and the other members of the team were in the second group 41 seconds back. This resulted in Armstrong rising to third overall and displacing Contador as the team's best-placed rider.{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Cavendish wins dramatic stage into La Grande-Motte |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-3/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-06 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726024419/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-3/results |archive-date=2009-07-26 |url-status=dead }} Speculation ensued that this move was meant to firmly install Armstrong as the team's leader, and Contador was visibly stunned by the stage result when interviewed afterward.{{cite web |author=Richard Moore |title=Armstrong tactics leave Contador reeling |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-tactics-leave-contador-reeling |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-07 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707221614/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-tactics-leave-contador-reeling |url-status=live }}
File:Lance Armstrong (Tour de France 2009 - Stage 17).jpg during stage 17.|alt=Close-up image of Armstrong with a strained look on his face as he climbs a mountain. Spectators are visible behind him.]]
Astana won the Stage 4 team time trial the next day, putting Armstrong a mere 22/100ths of a second off the race lead and Contador, Klöden, and Leipheimer behind him third through fifth, with Zubeldia also in the top ten at seventh.{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Four years on, it's still Armstrong's team who lays down the law |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-4/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-07 |access-date=2009-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090709061053/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-4/results |archive-date=2009-07-09 |url-status=dead }} After a couple of sprinter-friendly stages where the main contenders stuck together out of trouble, the high mountain Stage 7 shook the standings, and Astana, again. Coming to the finish line, a group of overall contenders was in ninth position on the road, as remnants of the morning's breakaway were scattered ahead of them. Instead of finishing as a cohesive group, Contador attacked from this group and gained 21 seconds, putting him ahead of Armstrong as Astana's best-placed rider again, though both were within 8 seconds of new race leader Rinaldo Nocentini.{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Feillu wins first mountainous stage |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-7/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-10 |access-date=2009-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711114834/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-7/results |archive-date=2009-07-11 |url-status=dead }} Armstrong said of Contador's attack that it "wasn't really the plan", but that he was nonetheless unsurprised by it.{{cite web |author=Richard Moore |title=Contador's Attack Not Part of Astana Plan |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contadors-attack-not-part-of-astana-plan |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-10 |access-date=2009-07-11 |archive-date=2009-07-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712163508/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/contadors-attack-not-part-of-astana-plan |url-status=live }} The team was dealt a major blow in Stage 12, when Leipheimer, after crashing with Cadel Evans in the final kilometers of the stage, was forced to leave the Tour with a broken wrist.{{cite web|author=Anthony Tan and Les Clarke |title=Haussler escapes to claim Tour's 13th stage |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-14/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-17 |access-date=2009-07-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720073948/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-14/results |archive-date=2009-07-20 }}
Stage 15 proved to be a crucial one, as the Tour entered Switzerland in a stage with many high mountain climbs. With about three kilometers gone by in an 8.8 km final climb to Verbier, Contador attacked and got free of the leading group, that included Klöden and Armstrong, soloing to the line for the stage win and the yellow jersey.{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Contador king of Verbier |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-15/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-19 |access-date=2009-07-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802032420/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-15/results |archive-date=2009-08-02 |url-status=dead }} Armstrong said after the stage that he had given it everything he had in the climb and Contador was simply the stronger rider; it was seen as settling any lingering controversy over the squad's leader and protected rider.{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Armstrong's dream of Tour yellow over |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrongs-dream-of-tour-yellow-over |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-21 |access-date=2009-07-21 |archive-date=2009-07-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090722072137/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrongs-dream-of-tour-yellow-over |url-status=live }} Contador all but cemented the Tour title by winning the time trial in Annecy in Stage 18, just beating out Cancellara to post the day's best time. Armstrong gained a little over a minute on Fränk Schleck by finishing 16th, and climbed back into a podium position, third, with the result.{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Tour title set in concrete for Contador |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stage-20/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-23 |access-date=2009-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113042942/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stage-20/results |archive-date=2009-11-13 |url-status=dead }} The two finished the Tour in those positions after holding them on Mont Ventoux,{{cite web |author=Anthony Tan |title=Garate grabs emphatic Ventoux victory |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-20/results |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-26 |access-date=2009-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725194413/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-20/results |archive-date=2009-07-25 |url-status=dead }} and then riding home safely in the Tour's largely ceremonial finale in Stage 21.{{cite web | title=Cavendish celebrates with number six on the Champs-Élysées | url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-21/results | author=Les Clarke | website=Cycling News| date=2009-07-26 | access-date=2009-07-26 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725200202/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/96th-tour-de-france-gt/stages/stage-21/results | archive-date=2009-07-25 | url-status=dead }}
= Vuelta a España =
The team was one of 22 to receive an invite to the Vuelta a España. After having first been named only as a reserve, the returning Alexander Vinokourov was named to the squad five days before the race began.{{cite web | title=Vinokourov to head to the Tour of Spain with Astana | url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vinokourov-to-head-to-the-tour-of-spain-with-astana | website=Cycling News| date=2009-08-24 | access-date=2009-08-24 | archive-date=2009-08-27 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827095830/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vinokourov-to-head-to-the-tour-of-spain-with-astana | url-status=live }}
Astana's Vuelta was a quiet one. Vinokourov placed in the top ten of the opening individual time trial
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-1/results
|author=Gregor Brown
|title=Cancellara motors to win in Vuelta's opening time trial
|date=2009-08-29
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153528/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-1/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
but he fell out of the top ten of the overall standings the next day due to a crash.
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-2/results
|author=Gregor Brown
|title=Ciolek wins Vuelta's stage to Emmen, Cancellara retains overall lead
|date=2009-08-30
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153620/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-2/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
Haimar Zubeldia's 18th-place finish on stage 8, which was the Vuelta's first high mountain stage, propelled him into eighth overall
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-8/results
|author=Susan Westemeyer
|title=Cunego conquers Vuelta's first mountain finish, Evans takes lead
|date=2009-09-06
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153718/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-8/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
until the next day, when he lost time and fell to ninth.
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-9/results
|author=Susan Westemeyer
|title=All hail César in Xorret de Cati
|date=2009-09-07
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202160600/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-9/results
|archive-date=2 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
In stage 10, Vinokourov figured in a winning breakaway, but his poor positioning in the four-man sprint finish meant the stage victory went to {{UCI team code|CTT|2009}}'s Simon Gerrans.
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-10/results
|author=Richard Tyler
|title=Gerrans wins cat and mouse game to take the stage win
|date=2009-09-08
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153533/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-10/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
Before stage 12, Astana held ninth overall. They continued to hold it after the stage, but the rider in that position changed; Zubeldia had been in the top ten, but finished further behind stage winner Ryder Hesjedal than Daniel Navarro, so it was Navarro who was the team's highest-placed rider after the stage.
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-12/results
|author=Gregor Brown
|title=Hesjedal wins Vuelta's Velefique mountain battle, Valverde leader
|date=2009-09-10
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153543/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-12/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
After the next two stages, Navarro also fell from the top ten,
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-14/results
|title=Cunego conquers La Pandera
|date=2009-09-12
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203153554/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-14/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
and the team did not achieve anything further, with Navarro in 13th their highest-placed rider in the race's final standings.
{{cite news
|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-21/results
|author=Susan Westemeyer
|title=Valverde crowned Vuelta king, Greipel wins Madrid sprint
|date=2009-09-20
|work=Cycling News
|access-date=2009-12-13
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091203135231/http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/64th-vuelta-a-espana-gt/stage-21/results
|archive-date=3 December 2009
|url-status=dead
|df=dmy-all
}}
Away from competition
= Financial troubles =
Shortly before the beginning of the Giro d'Italia, it was reported that many of the team's sponsors in Kazakhstan had not paid their full obligations to the team, and that most of the riders had been underpaid to that point in the season as a result. One sponsor, the Kazkhstani state carrier Air Astana, dropped its sponsorship entirely. There was concern that the team itself may fold, as UCI ProTour teams must meet certain financial parameters to stay active, or risk losing their UCI license.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |title=Astana facing money trouble |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=4145429 |publisher=ESPN |date=2009-05-07 |access-date=2011-01-30 |archive-date=2011-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616131624/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=4145429 |url-status=live }}
In protest to the underpayment by the team's sponsors, the team decided to change their jersey a week into the Giro.{{cite web |author=Steve Frothingham |title=Astana will wear new kit at the Giro this week to signal upcoming changes at the team |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/astana-will-wear-new-kit-at-the-giro-this-week-to-signal-upcoming-changes-at-the-team_92036 |work=VeloNews |date=2009-05-13 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2012-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927191214/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/astana-will-wear-new-kit-at-the-giro-this-week-to-signal-upcoming-changes-at-the-team_92036 |url-status=live }} The new {{not a typo|jersey}} was revealed on May 15, the date of Stage 7 when the Giro returned to Italy from Austria, as having the names of the underpaying sponsors faded out to the point of being unreadable. Of the nine Astana riders in the Giro, eight wore the new jerseys – Andrey Zeits, who is from Kazakhstan, was the only one to stay with the original jersey.{{cite web |author=Andrew Hood |title=Astana changes jersey over money row |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/astana-changes-jersey-over-money-row_92087 |work=VeloNews |date=2009-05-15 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2009-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215190209/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/astana-changes-jersey-over-money-row_92087 |url-status=live }} The squad at the concurrent Volta a Catalunya did not wear the faded jerseys.
It was announced on June 19 that the situation had been resolved, with the Kazakh Cycling Federation agreeing to pay what the sponsors were indebted to the team.{{cite web |author=Andrew Hood |title=Astana Financial Problems Resolved |url=http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/TeamTalk/astana-financial-problems-resolved.html |work=Roadcycling.co.nz |date=2009-06-19 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625220054/http://www.roadcycling.co.nz/TeamTalk/astana-financial-problems-resolved.html |archive-date=25 June 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }} The team reverted to its normal jerseys in the Tour de France, with nothing faded out.
Shortly after this announcement, rumors circulated that {{UCI team code|GRM|2009}} had been close to signing Contador away from the team, should the Kazakhstani government have failed to pay its obligations and the team defaulted to the ownership of Armstrong or Bruyneel.{{cite web |author=Joe Lindsey |title=Lance's Team Split |url=http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderreport/2009/06/23/lances-team-in-turmoil/ |publisher=Boulder Report |date=2009-06-23 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090628074017/http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderreport/2009/06/23/lances-team-in-turmoil/ |archive-date=28 June 2009 |url-status=dead }} Other unspecified Spanish Astana riders were also said to be close to jumping to the American team to follow Contador. Garmin team manager Jonathan Vaughters refused to address the rumors, saying that all negotiations are confidential until finalized,{{cite web |author=Neal Rogers |title=Mr. Rogers' neighborhood – Checkin' in with the argyle king |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/06/news/mr-rogers-neighborhood-checkin-in-with-the-argyle-king_93785 |work=VeloNews |date=2009-06-24 |access-date=2009-07-07 |archive-date=2012-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928091207/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/06/news/mr-rogers-neighborhood-checkin-in-with-the-argyle-king_93785 |url-status=live }} but Contador himself commented in September that he had been close to switching before the 2009 Tour began.{{cite web |author=Andrew Hood |title=Garmin still an option for Contador |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/09/news/garmin-still-an-option-for-contador_97956 |work=VeloNews |date=2009-09-18 |access-date=2009-09-18 |archive-date=2010-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100715205514/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/09/news/garmin-still-an-option-for-contador_97956 |url-status=live }}
= Return of Alexander Vinokourov and departure of Johan Bruyneel =
File:Winokurow 2006.jpg, pictured here in 2006, returned to professional cycling and to team Astana in 2009 after serving a suspension for doping.|alt=A blond-haired man in his mid-thirties, wearing a white polo shirt bearing an Adidas logo. He is looking to his right.]]
While riding for Astana in the 2007 Tour de France, Alexander Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping,{{cite web |author=VeloNews.com |title=Vinokourov tests positive; Astana withdraws from Tour |url=http://velonews.com/article/12910 |work=VeloNews |date=2007-07-24 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090703083124/http://velonews.com/article/12910 |archive-date=2009-07-03 |url-status=dead }} causing the entire team to be removed from the race and Vinokourov to retire after being banned from the sport by his national federation and the UCI.{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Vinokourov retires, vows to fight on |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/first-edition-cycling-news-december-7-2007 |website=Cycling News|date=2007-12-07 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817200024/http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/first-edition-cycling-news-december-7-2007 |archive-date=2009-08-17 |url-status=dead }} After confirming in October 2008 his intention to return to competitive cycling,{{cite web |author=Agence France-Presse |title=Vino' confirms plans to ride again |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/10/road/vino-confirms-plans-to-ride-again_84011 |work=VeloNews|date=2008-10-05 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-date=2011-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811090552/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/10/road/vino-confirms-plans-to-ride-again_84011 |url-status=live }} Vinokourov stated on the eve of the 2009 Tour de France that he would rejoin Astana, the team he believes was created expressly for him, at the expiration of his two-year ban on July 24. He indicated that Astana manager Johan Bruyneel will be bound by the team's sponsors to accept him, or else Bruyneel would be forced from the team.{{cite web |author=VeloNews.com |title=Vino' says he will be on Astana ... or heads will roll |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/07/news/vino-says-he-will-be-on-astana-or-heads-will-roll_94137 |quote=If Bruyneel does not want me, it will be Bruyneel who is leaving the team. |work=VeloNews |date=2009-07-02 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-date=2011-08-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811090655/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/07/news/vino-says-he-will-be-on-astana-or-heads-will-roll_94137 |url-status=live }} Bruyneel publicly stated in April 2008 that he did not want Vinokourov on a team he ran.{{cite web |author=Susan Westemeyer |title=Bruyneel "does not want" Vinokourov |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bruyneel-does-not-want-vinokourov |quote=It is one hundred percent certain that Johan Bruyneel does not want Alexander Vinokourov in our team |website=Cycling News|date=2008-04-28 |access-date=2009-07-27 |archive-date=2012-03-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322153749/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bruyneel-does-not-want-vinokourov |url-status=live }}
The next day, it was further revealed that not only Bruyneel stood to be forced from the team according to Vinokourov, but also Armstrong and other riders from the former Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. The team would be built around Vinokourov and Contador, who would be able to choose which riders he wanted his teammates. It would contain almost exclusively Kazakhstani and Spanish riders, in the image of the former Liberty Seguros team, for which Contador previously rode. The matter was even addressed by the President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev. The new team organization would be in place by the Vuelta a España, which Vinokourov would ride.{{cite web |author=Susan Westemeyer |title=Kazakh coup to oust Armstrong and Bruyneel from Team Astana? |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kazakh-coup-to-oust-armstrong-and-bruyneel-from-team-astana |website=Cycling News|date=2009-07-03 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-date=2009-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706042908/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kazakh-coup-to-oust-armstrong-and-bruyneel-from-team-astana |url-status=live }}
On 21 July, with Contador, Armstrong and Klöden holding three of the top four places in the Tour de France, Bruyneel told Belgian channel VRT that Astana as currently constituted was "finished" and that he would be leaving the team, as Vinokourov and the Kazakh federation had discussed, after the season.{{cite web|url=http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2009/news/article/15881/Bruyneel-says-it-s-time-to-quit-Astana |title=Bruyneel says it's time to quit Astana |date=2009-07-22 |publisher=Special Broadcasting Service |access-date=2009-07-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090725101424/http://tdf.sbs.com.au/tdf2009/news/article/15881/Bruyneel-says-it-s-time-to-quit-Astana |archive-date=2009-07-25 }}
== Disposition of riders for 2010 ==
In the wake of Bruyneel's announcement about leaving Astana during the Tour, Contador said that he would not consider his future until after the race was over. On 23 July, Lance Armstrong announced the formation of a new U.S. cycling team, Team RadioShack, for 2010. Whether Bruyneel would take part in this venture was not addressed at the time,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/tdf2009/news/story?id=4349772|title=Source: Lance's team lands sponsor|date=2009-07-23|author=Bonnie D. Ford|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2009-07-23|archive-date=2009-07-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726092856/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2009/news/story?id=4349772|url-status=live}} but Armstrong then announced Bruyneel's participation on 25 August.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aapVgx7rq1NI |title=Armstrong Says Bruyneel to Join New Team, Landis a Possibility |author=Fergal O'Brien |date=2009-08-25 |publisher=Bloomberg.com |access-date=23 January 2011 |archive-date=2012-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104112019/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aapVgx7rq1NI |url-status=live }}
On 31 July, Contador's agent announced that Contador had turned down an offer to remain with Astana under a new four-year contract because he had felt uncomfortable being caught between the Kazakhs on one side and Bruyneel on the other, and he was hoping to leave Astana before his contract expired in 2010.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE56U1J420090731 |title=Contador turns down Astana offer, says agent |date=2009-07-31 |work=Reuters|access-date=2009-08-01}} However, on 11 August, Contador's close friend Sergio Paulinho accepted a two-year contract with Team RadioShack, indicating that Contador might not be able to leave Astana as he and his agent wished.{{cite web |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/08/news/paulinho-follows-armstrong-to-radioshack-azevedo-new-ds_96556 |title=Paulinho follows Armstrong to RadioShack; Azevedo new DS |author=Andrew Hood |date=2009-08-11 |work=VeloNews |access-date=2009-08-18 |archive-date=2016-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025852/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/08/news/paulinho-follows-armstrong-to-radioshack-azevedo-new-ds_96556 |url-status=live }} This was confirmed on 15 August, when a spokesperson for the Kazakh sponsors of Astana said that they intended to sponsor the Astana team on the UCI ProTour through 2013 and that they intended to enforce the last year of Contador's contract with Astana in 2010.{{cite web |url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/08/news/astana-intends-to-enforce-contadors-contract_96670 |title=Astana intends to enforce Contador's contract |agency=AFP |date=2009-08-15 |work=VeloNews |access-date=2009-08-18 |archive-date=2012-09-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928091632/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/08/news/astana-intends-to-enforce-contadors-contract_96670 |url-status=live }}
Once Bruyneel's move to Team RadioShack was confirmed, the squad began filling with transfers from the 2009 Astana team. In addition to Armstrong and Paulinho, Tomas Vaitkus and Grégory Rast joined Team RadioShack as one-day classics specialists,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-brings-classics-riders-to-radioshack |title=Armstrong brings Classics riders to RadioShack |author=Gregor Brown |date=2009-08-25 |website=Cycling News|access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016172053/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/armstrong-brings-classics-riders-to-radioshack |archive-date=16 October 2009 |url-status=live }} and Jose Luis "Chechu" Rubiera joined for Grand Tour support. On September 1, Levi Leipheimer's move to Team RadioShack was confirmed{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=4436339 |title=Leipheimer joins Armstrong's team |author=Bonnie D. Hunt |date=2009-09-01 |publisher=ESPN|access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-date=2009-09-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904142426/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=4436339 |url-status=live }} and on October 2, Andreas Klöden's move was confirmed.{{cite web |url=http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/home/regularieninhalte/sports-ticker/sports,rendertext=9966616.html |title=ANDREAS KLODEN: Cyclist joins Armstrong at RadioShack |work=Das Bild |date=2009-10-02 |access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091008092602/http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/home/regularieninhalte/sports-ticker/sports%2Crendertext%3D9966616.html |archive-date=8 October 2009 |url-status=dead }} On October 4, Chris Horner also signed with Team RadioShack for two years.[http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-signs-on-with-radioshack-for-two-years "Horner signs on with RadioShack for two years"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007011536/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horner-signs-on-with-radioshack-for-two-years |date=2009-10-07 }}, Cycling News, 2009-10-04. Retrieved on 2009-10-04. On October 15, Yaroslav Popovich's move was also confirmed. It was also reported that Haimar Zubeldia was to remain with Astana, on order from Contandor,{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/more-radioshack-transfers-confirmed |title=More RadioShack transfers confirmed |author=Hedwig Kröner |date=2009-10-15 |website=Cycling News|access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091017220251/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/more-radioshack-transfers-confirmed |archive-date=17 October 2009 |url-status=live }} though for unclear reasons this changed, as Zubeldia's transfer to Team RadioShack was confirmed weeks later.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/zubeldia-radioshack-is-the-best-option-for-me |title=Zubeldia: RadioShack is the Best Option for Me |author=Peter Cossins |date=2009-11-24 |access-date=2009-12-13 |website=Cycling News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127082334/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/zubeldia-radioshack-is-the-best-option-for-me |archive-date=27 November 2009 |url-status=live }} With Dimitry Muravyev's transfer, Astana's entire 2009 Tour de France squad, Contador aside, had moved to Armstrong's new team.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/muravyev-out-of-astana-stangelj-in |title=Muravyev out of Astana, Stangelj in |author=Peter Cossins |date=2009-11-21 |access-date=2009-12-13 |work=Future Publishing Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123120243/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/muravyev-out-of-astana-stangelj-in |archive-date=23 November 2009 |url-status=live }}
Two other Astana riders moved with former Discovery Channel rider George Hincapie to team BMC for 2010: Steve Morabito and Michael Schär.{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bmc-strengthens-team-for-2010-with-world-champ-ballan-and-usas-hincapie |title=BMC strengthens team for 2010 with World Champ Ballan and USA's Hincapie |author=Gregor Brown |date=2009-09-01 |website=Cycling News|access-date=17 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005175801/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bmc-strengthens-team-for-2010-with-world-champ-ballan-and-usas-hincapie |archive-date=5 October 2009 |url-status=live }}
Season victories
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||||
| Date | Race | Competition | Rider | Country | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{dts | February|20}} | Tour of California, Stage 6 | UCI America Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} | {{flagu|United States}} | Solvang |
| {{dts | February|21}} | Volta ao Algarve, Stage 4 | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|Portugal}} | Tavira |
| {{dts | February|22}} | Tour of California, Overall | UCI America Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} | {{flagu|United States}} | |
| {{dts | February|22}} | Tour of California, Team classification | UCI America Tour | style="text-align:center;"| The riders on the squad were Levi Leipheimer, Lance Armstrong, Janez Brajkovič, Chris Horner, Steve Morabito, Yaroslav Popovych, José Luis Rubiera, and Grégory Rast | {{flagu|United States}} | |
| {{dts | February|22}} | Volta ao Algarve, Overall | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|Portugal}} | |
| {{dts | March|8}} | Paris–Nice, Stage 1 | UCI World Calendar | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|France}} | Amilly |
| {{dts | March|13}} | Paris–Nice, Stage 6 | UCI World Calendar | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|France}} | La Montagne de Lure |
| {{dts | March|15}} | Tirreno–Adriatico, Stage 5 | UCI World Calendar | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Andreas |Klöden}}|GER}} | {{flagu|Italy}} | Loreto |
| {{dts | March|24}} | Vuelta a Castilla y León, Stage 2 | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} | {{flagu|Spain}} | Palencia |
| {{dts | March|27}} | Vuelta a Castilla y León, Overall | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} | {{flagu|Spain}} | |
| {{dts | April|8}} | Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 3 | UCI ProTour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|Spain}} | Eibar |
| {{dts | April|11}} | Vuelta al País Vasco, Overall | UCI ProTour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|Spain}} | |
| {{dts | April|11}} | Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 6 | UCI ProTour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|Spain}} | Zalla |
| {{dts | April|17}} | Sea Otter Classic, Stage 2 | National event | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} | {{flagu|United States}} | |
| {{dts | April|22}} | Giro del Trentino, Stage 1 | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Andreas |Klöden}}|GER}} | {{flagu|Italy}} | Arco |
| {{dts | May|3}} | Tour de Romandie, Sprint classification | UCI ProTour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Grégory|Rast}}|SUI}} | {{flagu|Switzerland}} | |
| {{dts | May|24}} | Volta a Catalunya, Team classification | UCI World Calendar | style="text-align:center;"| The riders on the squad were Roman Kireyev, Alexsandr Dyachenko, Jesús Hernández, Benjamín Noval, Sérgio Paulinho, Sergey Renev, Tomas Vaitkus, and Haimar Zubeldia | {{flagu|Spain}} | |
| {{dts | May|31}} | Giro d'Italia, Trofeo Fast Team classification | UCI World Calendar | style="text-align:center;"| The riders on the squad were Lance Armstrong, Janez Brajkovič, Chris Horner, Levi Leipheimer, Steve Morabito, Daniel Navarro, Yaroslav Popovych, José Luis Rubiera and Andrey Zeits | {{flagu|Italy}} | |
| {{dts | June|3}} | Tour de Luxembourg, Prologue | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Grégory|Rast}}|SUI}} | {{LUX}} | Luxembourg |
| {{dts | June|14}} | Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, Team classification | UCI World Calendar | style="text-align:center;"| The riders on the squad were Alberto Contador, Alexsandr Dyachenko, Jesús Hernández, Benjamín Noval, Sérgio Paulinho, Sergey Renev, Tomas Vaitkus, and Haimar Zubeldia | {{flagu|France}} | |
| {{dts | July|7}} | Tour de France, Stage 4 | UCI World Calendar | Team time trialThe riders on the squad were Alberto Contador, Lance Armstrong, Andreas Klöden, Levi Leipheimer, Dimitry Muravyev, Sérgio Paulinho, Yaroslav Popovych, Grégory Rast and Haimar Zubeldia | {{flagu|France}} | Montpellier |
| {{dts | July|19}} | Tour de France, Stage 15 | UCI World Calendar | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|Switzerland}} | Verbier |
| {{dts | July|23}} | Tour de France, Stage 18 | UCI World Calendar | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|France}} | Annecy |
| {{dts | July|26}} | Tour de France, Overall | UCI World Calendar | {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} | {{flagu|France}} | |
| {{dts | July|26}} | Tour de France, Team classification | UCI World Calendar | style="text-align:center;"| | {{flagu|France}} | |
| {{dts | August|12}} | Tour de l'Ain, Points classification | UCI Europe Tour | {{flagathlete|Chris Horner|USA}} | {{flagu|France}} |
Footnotes
{{commons category}}
{{reflist|group=N}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Astana seasons|state=collapsed}}
{{2009 road cycling season by team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astana 2009}}
Category:2009 road cycling season by team