Cycling

Lutsenko to leave Astana after 12 years with the team

Alexey Lutsenko will be part of Israel–Premier Tech for the 2025 and 2026 season with the Kazakh rider set to bolster the team’s Classics and stage race squads.

Lutsenko, 31, rode for Astana for the previous 12 years, throughout which era he has scored 43 wins together with stage wins at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, and basic classification wins at the Tour of Oman, Arctic Race of Norway, the Tour of Turkey, and Giro d’Abruzzo.

“The 2024 season has arguably been one of our best to date which is the result of our recruitment strategy in the last few years and our ability to identify riders who will help the team to grow,” says IPT General Manager Kjell Carlström.

“We believe the signing of Alexey Lutsenko is another step in the right direction with Alexey’s talent and experience set to strengthen the team. Alexey is a proven winner, you only need to look at his palmares to see that, but beyond that he is also an excellent teammate and someone who will fit with the culture of the team. He has already had a long career, but he is still only 31-years-old and he has a lot left to give. We can’t wait to see Alexey in IPT colors next year.”

Lutsenko is prepared for the new problem introduced by altering groups for the first time in his profession.

“After 12 great years with Astana, I am looking for the motivation I need to achieve new goals,” explains Lutensko.

“Sometimes you need to leave your comfort zone to achieve something new. I have nothing but good things to say about my time with Astana Qazaqstan Team, I achieved a lot and I’m grateful for this team, but I feel I have the potential to do more in a new environment. I have many friends in the staff and riders at Israel – Premier Tech and I have seen how quickly the team has developed in a short time. I think in the future, it will only become stronger and speaking with the team management, I see their interest in the growth of the team, including me, and how I can contribute to this.”


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