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{{Short description|Cycling team season}}
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{{good article}}
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{| style="background:#00B0C7;text-align:center;width:100%;"
| style="background:#00B0C7;" align="center" width="100%" | <font color=#FFC91C size="3"> 2008 Astana season
| style="background:#00B0C7;" align="center" width="100%" | <span style="color:#FFC91C; font-size:125%;"> 2008 Astana season</span>
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| bgcolor=#EEEEEE| [[Johan Bruyneel]]
| bgcolor=#EEEEEE| [[Johan Bruyneel]]
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| '''[[Road bicycle racing#Single-day races|One-day]] victories'''
| '''[[Road bicycle racing#Single-day|One-day]] victories'''
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The 2008 season for the {{ct|AST|2008}} cycling team began in January with the [[2008 Tour Down Under|Tour Down Under]] and ended in October with the [[Giro di Lombardia]]. As a [[UCI ProTour]] team, they were automatically invited and obliged to attend every event in the [[2008 UCI ProTour|UCI ProTour]].
The 2008 season for the {{UCI team code|AST|2008}} cycling team began in January with the [[2008 Tour Down Under|Tour Down Under]] and ended in October with the [[Giro di Lombardia]]. As a [[UCI ProTour]] team, they were automatically invited and obliged to attend every event in the [[2008 UCI ProTour|UCI ProTour]].


Astana changed drastically between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, with its former manager [[Marc Biver]] replaced by [[Johan Bruyneel]] from the dissolved [[Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team]]. Following Bruyneel to Astana were many riders from that team, perhaps most notably [[Alberto Contador]] and [[Levi Leipheimer]], who had finished first and third, respectively, in the [[2007 Tour de France]] for Discovery. Numerous riders also left the team, including [[Matthias Kessler]], [[Andrey Kashechkin]], and [[Alexander Vinokourov]], who had all tested positive for doping.
Astana changed drastically between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, with its former manager [[Marc Biver]] replaced by [[Johan Bruyneel]] from the dissolved [[Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team]]. Following Bruyneel to Astana were several riders from that team, including [[Alberto Contador]] and [[Levi Leipheimer]], who had finished first and third, respectively, in the [[2007 Tour de France]] for Discovery. Numerous riders also left the team, including [[Matthias Kessler]], [[Andrey Kashechkin]], and [[Alexander Vinokourov]], who had all tested positive for doping.


The team's biggest successes in 2008 were the overall victories by Contador in the [[2008 Giro d'Italia|Giro d'Italia]] and the [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]]. As the team was barred from competing in the [[2008 Tour de France|Tour de France]] that year, as well as other events organized by the [[Amaury Sport Organisation]], Contador was unable to defend his championship from the year before.
The team's biggest successes in 2008 were the overall victories by Contador in the [[2008 Giro d'Italia|Giro d'Italia]] and the [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]]. As the team was barred from competing in the [[2008 Tour de France|Tour de France]] that year, as well as other events organized by the [[Amaury Sport Organisation]], Contador was unable to defend his championship from the year before.
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==2008 team roster==
==2008 team roster==
Ages as of January 1, 2008<ref name="roster">{{cite web |date=2008-12-31 |title=Astaná 2008 |url=http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13904 |publisher=The Cyclingwebsite|accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref>
Ages as of January 1, 2008<ref name="roster">{{cite web |date=2008-12-31 |title=Astaná 2008 |url=http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13904 |publisher=The Cyclingwebsite |access-date=July 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009225735/http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13904 |archive-date=2012-10-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{{Cycling squad start}}
{{Cycling squad start}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Assan Bazayev]]|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1981|2|22}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Assan Bazayev]]|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1981|2|22}}}}
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{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Maxim Iglinskiy]]|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1981|4|18}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Maxim Iglinskiy]]|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1981|4|18}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Sergei Ivanov (cyclist)|Sergei Ivanov]]|nat=RUS|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1975|3|5}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Sergei Ivanov (cyclist)|Sergei Ivanov]]|nat=RUS|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1975|3|5}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Benoit Joachim]]|nat=LUX|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1976|1|4}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Benoît Joachim]]|nat=LUX|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1976|1|4}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Aaron Kemps]]|nat=AUS|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1983|9|10}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Aaron Kemps]]|nat=AUS|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1983|9|10}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Roman Kireyev]]|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1987|2|14}}}}
{{Cycling squad rider|name=[[Roman Kireyev]]|nat=KAZ|birthdate={{birth date and age2|2008|1|1|1987|2|14}}}}
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{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
;Riders who joined the team for the 2008 season<ref name="roster" /><ref name="2007roster">{{cite web |date=2007-12-31 |title=Astaná 2007 |url=http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13162 |publisher=The Cyclingwebsite|accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref>
;Riders who joined the team for the 2008 season<ref name="roster" /><ref name="2007roster">{{cite web |date=2007-12-31 |title=Astaná 2007 |url=http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13162 |publisher=The Cyclingwebsite |access-date=July 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214091549/http://www.cyclingwebsite.net/ploegfiche.php?id=13162 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
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!2007 team
!2007 team
|-
|-
|[[Janez Brajkovič]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Janez Brajkovič]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Alberto Contador]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Alberto Contador]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Vladimir Gusev (cyclist)|Vladimir Gusev]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Vladimir Gusev (cyclist)|Vladimir Gusev]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Chris Horner]]||{{ct|SIL|2007}}
|[[Chris Horner]]||{{UCI team code|SIL|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Roman Kireyev]]||''neo-pro''
|[[Roman Kireyev]]||''neo-pro''
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|[[Berik Kupeshov]]||''neo-pro''
|[[Berik Kupeshov]]||''neo-pro''
|-
|-
|[[Levi Leipheimer]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Levi Leipheimer]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Benjamín Noval]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Benjamín Noval]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Sérgio Paulinho]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Sérgio Paulinho]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[José Luis Rubiera]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[José Luis Rubiera]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Thomas Vaitkus]]||{{ct|DSC|2007}}
|[[Thomas Vaitkus]]||{{UCI team code|DSC|2007}}
|-
|-
|[[Andrey Zeits]]||''neo-pro''
|[[Andrey Zeits]]||''neo-pro''
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!2008 team
!2008 team
|-
|-
|[[Igor Abakoumov]]||[[Mitsubishi-Jartazi]]
|[[Igor Abakoumov]]||[[Mitsubishi–Jartazi]]
|-
|-
|[[Maxim Gourov]]||A-Style Somn
|[[Maxim Gourov]]||A-Style Somn
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|[[Eddy Mazzoleni]]||Retired
|[[Eddy Mazzoleni]]||Retired
|-
|-
|[[Gennady Mikhaylov]]||[[Mitsubishi-Jartazi]]
|[[Gennady Mikhaylov]]||[[Mitsubishi–Jartazi]]
|-
|-
|[[José Antonio Redondo]]||[[Andalucía-Cajasur]]
|[[José Antonio Redondo (cyclist)|José Antonio Redondo]]||[[Andalucía–CajaSur]]
|-
|-
|[[Paolo Savoldelli]]||{{ct|LPR|2008}}
|[[Paolo Savoldelli]]||{{UCI team code|LPR|2008}}
|-
|-
|[[Evgeniy Sladkov]]||Centri della Calzatura - Partizan
|[[Evgeniy Sladkov]]||Centri della Calzatura – Partizan
|-
|-
|[[Alexander Vinokourov]]||Retired
|[[Alexander Vinokourov]]||Suspended for doping
|}
|}
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


== One-day races ==
== One-day races ==

=== Spring classics ===
=== Spring classics ===
By their own admission, Astana does not aim for the classics.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cathy Mehl |title=The Dirk Demol Interview, Part 1 |url=http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/demolpart1.html |publisher=Astana Cycling Team |quote=Of course Quick Step is a big Classics team and they always get important wins during the spring season. That isn’t the case with Team Astana—it is not a huge objective for this team. |date=06-15-09 |accessdate=2009-07-07}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> The team first participated in [[Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|Omloop Het Volk]] on March 1, with [[Dmitriy Muravyev]] in 31st their best-placed rider.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Gilbert returns with solo Het Volk victory |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/hetvolk08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=03-01-08 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref> [[Sergei Ivanov (cyclist)|Sergei Ivanov]]'s 7th in the [[2008 Amstel Gold Race|Amstel Gold Race]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Brecht Decaluwé and Gregor Brown |title=Cunego a man for all seasons |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/amstel08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-04-20 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref> proved to be one of the team's best results all season, as in the other spring races in which they competed, [[Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne]], the [[2008 Ronde van Vlaanderen|Ronde van Vlaanderen]], and [[Gent–Wevelgem]], they did not have a rider place higher than 13th.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown and Brecht Decaluwé |title=De Jongh puts icing on Quick Step's cake |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/kbk08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=03-02-08 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown and Brecht Decaluwé |title=Devolder shines in Belgian driekleur |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/rvv08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=04-06-08 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake and Brecht Decaluwé |title=Oscar 'The Cat' Freire takes revenge |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/wevelgem08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=04-09-08 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref> Due in part to the [[2008 Astana season#Exclusion from ASO races|ban imposed by the Amaury Sport Organisation]] from participating in races they organized, the team did not compete in [[2008 Milan – San Remo|Milan – San Remo]], [[2008 Paris–Roubaix|Paris–Roubaix]], [[La Flèche Wallonne]], [[Liège–Bastogne–Liège]], or other races in which a team of their caliber would normally take part. In March, [[Tomas Vaitkus]] earned the team's lone one-day victory of the spring season, winning a sprint finish to the [[Ronde van het Groene Hart]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Susan Westemeyer |title=Easy sprint win for powerful Vaitkus |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/rondevanhetgroenehart08 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-03-23 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
By their own admission, Astana does not aim for the classics.<ref>{{cite web|author=Cathy Mehl |title=The Dirk Demol Interview, Part 1 |url=http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/demolpart1.html |publisher=Astana Cycling Team |quote=Of course Quick Step is a big Classics team and they always get important wins during the spring season. That isn’t the case with Team Astana—it is not a huge objective for this team. |date=June 15, 2009 |access-date=2009-07-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709054959/http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/mehlting_pot/demolpart1.html |archive-date=July 9, 2015 }}</ref> The team first participated in [[Omloop Het Nieuwsblad|Omloop Het Volk]] on March 1, with [[Dmitriy Muravyev]] in 31st their best-placed rider.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Gilbert returns with solo Het Volk victory |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/hetvolk08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=March 1, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref> [[Sergei Ivanov (cyclist)|Sergei Ivanov]]'s 7th in the [[2008 Amstel Gold Race|Amstel Gold Race]]<ref>{{cite web |author=Brecht Decaluwé and Gregor Brown |title=Cunego a man for all seasons |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/amstel08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=2008-04-20 |access-date=July 10, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090624102027/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/amstel08/?id=results| archive-date= 24 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> proved to be one of the team's best results all season, as in the other spring races in which they competed, [[Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne]], the [[2008 Tour of Flanders|Tour of Flanders]], and [[Gent–Wevelgem]], they did not have a rider place higher than 13th.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown and Brecht Decaluwé |title=De Jongh puts icing on Quick Step's cake |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/kbk08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=March 2, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown and Brecht Decaluwé |title=Devolder shines in Belgian driekleur |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/rvv08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=April 6, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090627035403/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/rvv08/?id=results| archive-date= 27 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake and Brecht Decaluwé |title=Oscar 'The Cat' Freire takes revenge |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/wevelgem08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref> Due in part to the [[2008 Astana season#Exclusion from ASO races|ban imposed by the Amaury Sport Organisation]] from participating in races they organized, the team did not compete in [[2008 Milan–San Remo|Milan–San Remo]], [[2008 Paris–Roubaix|Paris–Roubaix]], [[La Flèche Wallonne]], [[Liège–Bastogne–Liège]], or other races in which a team of their caliber would normally take part. In March, [[Tomas Vaitkus]] earned the team's lone one-day victory of the spring season, winning a sprint finish to the [[Ronde van het Groene Hart]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Susan Westemeyer |title=Easy sprint win for powerful Vaitkus |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/rondevanhetgroenehart08 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-03-23 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref>


=== Fall races ===
=== Fall races ===
The team entered the [[2008 Clásica de San Sebastián|Clásica de San Sebastián]] in August, with Contador in 26th their highest-placed finisher. Contador, like many riders in the event, rode it as preparation for the road cycling events at the [[2008 Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake |title=Valverde all set for Olympics |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/aug08/sansebastian08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=08-02-08 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref> Astana also took part in [[2008 Vattenfall Cyclassics|Vattenfall Cyclassics]], the [[Coppa Sabatini]], [[Paris–Bourges]], the [[Giro dell'Emilia]], the [[Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli]], [[Milan-Torino]], and the [[Giro del Piemonte]] in September and October, but did not obtain a place higher than 11th (by [[Janez Brajkovič]] in the Giro dell'Emilia).<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Di Luca ends season with Emilia win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/oct08/emilia08 |publisher=Cycling News |date=10-11-08 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref> In August, Leipheimer and Contador took the top two spots in the [[Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama]], a race they rode as preparation for the Vuelta a España.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leipheimer, Contador 1-2 los Puertos |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/aug08/puertos08 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-08-24 |accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref>
The team entered the [[2008 Clásica de San Sebastián|Clásica de San Sebastián]] in August, with Contador in 26th their highest-placed finisher. Contador, like many riders in the event, rode it as preparation for the road cycling events at the [[2008 Olympic Games]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Bjorn Haake |title=Valverde all set for Olympics |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/aug08/sansebastian08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=August 2, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref> Astana also took part in [[2008 Vattenfall Cyclassics|Vattenfall Cyclassics]], the [[Coppa Sabatini]], [[Paris–Bourges]], the [[Giro dell'Emilia]], the [[Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli]], [[Milano–Torino]], and the [[Giro del Piemonte]] in September and October, but did not obtain a place higher than 11th (by [[Janez Brajkovič]] in the Giro dell'Emilia).<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Di Luca ends season with Emilia win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/oct08/emilia08 |work=Cycling News |date=October 11, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref> In August, Leipheimer and Contador took the top two spots in the [[Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama]], a race they rode as preparation for the Vuelta a España.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leipheimer, Contador 1-2 los Puertos |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/aug08/puertos08 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-08-24 |access-date=2009-07-29}}</ref>


In the [[Giro di Lombardia]], Astana's final race of the season, they were more successful than they had been most of the season, attaining a fourth podium finish in a one-day race on the year. While [[Damiano Cunego]] had broken away from the field with 15 kilometers left to race to win the event, Brajkovič won a sprint over {{ct|GCE|2008}}'s [[Rigoberto Urán]] for second, and reacted as though he won the race. [[Chris Horner]] was also highly-placed in the event, finishing seventh.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Damiano Cunego King of Lombardia |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/oct08/lombardia08/?id=results |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-10-18 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
In the [[Giro di Lombardia]], Astana's final race of the season, they were more successful than they had been most of the season, attaining a fourth podium finish in a one-day race on the year. While [[Damiano Cunego]] had broken away from the field with 15 kilometers left to race to win the event, Brajkovič won a sprint over {{UCI team code|GCE|2008}}'s [[Rigoberto Urán]] for second, and reacted as though he won the race. [[Chris Horner]] was also highly placed in the event, finishing seventh.<ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Damiano Cunego King of Lombardia |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/oct08/lombardia08/?id=results |work=Cycling News |date=2008-10-18 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref>


== Stage races ==
== Stage races ==
Astana attended the [[2008 Tour Down Under|Tour Down Under]] for the first time in 2008, as it was the first year the event was part of the [[UCI ProTour]]. The team was not very competitive in the event, with a fifth place in a sprint finish to Stage 2 from [[Aaron Kemps]] as their best stage result. They also lead the teams classification after that stage.<ref>{{cite web |author=Paul Verkuylen and Greg Johnson|title=Greipel wins the dash into Hahndorf |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jan08/tdu08/?id=results/tdu082 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-01-23 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team's best-placed rider in the final overall classification was [[José Luis Rubiera]], ranked 31st.<ref>{{cite web |author=Paul Verkuylen and Greg Johnson|title='Gorilla' Greipel gets the stage - and the overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jan08/tdu08/?id=results/tdu086 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-01-27 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team then attended the [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]] in February. Leipheimer was the team leader for the event, as he was the defending champion from 2007 with Team Discovery.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski|title=Third Tour of California combines 'old' with 'new |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/ |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Leipheimer assumed the race lead after Stage 3, having worked with {{ct|RAB|2008}} rider [[Robert Gesink]] to gain time on the peloton with Gesink claiming the stage win and Leipheimer the overall lead.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=Leipheimer takes ownership in California |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california083 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-02-20 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Leipheimer padded his lead by winning the [[individual time trial]] in [[Solvang, California|Solvang]] two days later<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=Leipheimer owns TT in Solvang |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california085 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-02-22 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> and held on to win the Tour itself for the second straight year.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=Hincapie redeems High Road |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california087 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-02-24 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> While the Tour of California was ongoing, Astana sent another squad to the [[Volta ao Algarve]], with [[Tomas Vaitkus]] claiming a win in Stage 2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana's Vaitkus sprints to win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/feb08/algarve08/algarve082 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-02-21 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Rubiera was the victor in early March of the queen stage of the [[Vuelta a Murcia]], a stage which the peloton almost refused to race because of the weather and safety conditions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rubiera takes snow-capped queen stage |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/murcia08/murcia082 |publisher=Cycling News |date=03-05-08 |accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref>
Astana attended the [[2008 Tour Down Under|Tour Down Under]] for the first time in 2008, as it was the first year the event was part of the [[UCI ProTour]]. The team was not very competitive in the event, with a fifth place in a sprint finish to Stage 2 from [[Aaron Kemps]] as their best stage result. They also led the teams classification after that stage.<ref>{{cite web |author=Paul Verkuylen and Greg Johnson|title=Greipel wins the dash into Hahndorf |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jan08/tdu08/?id=results/tdu082 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-01-23 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team's best-placed rider in the final overall classification was [[José Luis Rubiera]], ranked 31st.<ref>{{cite web |author=Paul Verkuylen and Greg Johnson|title='Gorilla' Greipel gets the stage – and the overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jan08/tdu08/?id=results/tdu086 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-01-27 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team then attended the [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]] in February. Leipheimer was the team leader for the event, as he was the defending champion from 2007 with Team Discovery.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski|title=Third Tour of California combines 'old' with 'new |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/ |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-14| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090628211121/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/| archive-date= 28 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Leipheimer assumed the race lead after Stage 3, having worked with {{UCI team code|RAB|2008}} rider [[Robert Gesink]] to gain time on the peloton with Gesink claiming the stage win and Leipheimer the overall lead.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=Leipheimer takes ownership in California |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california083 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-02-20 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> Leipheimer padded his lead by winning the [[individual time trial]] in [[Solvang, California|Solvang]] two days later<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=Leipheimer owns TT in Solvang |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california085 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-02-22 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> and held on to win the Tour itself for the second straight year.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=Hincapie redeems High Road |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/feb08/california08/?id=results/california087 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-02-24 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> While the Tour of California was ongoing, Astana sent another squad to the [[Volta ao Algarve]], with [[Tomas Vaitkus]] claiming a win in Stage 2.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana's Vaitkus sprints to win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/feb08/algarve08/algarve082 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-02-21 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> Rubiera was the victor in early March of the queen stage of the [[Vuelta a Murcia]], a stage which the peloton almost refused to race because of the weather and safety conditions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rubiera takes snow-capped queen stage |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/murcia08/murcia082 |work=Cycling News |date=March 5, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-29}}</ref>


[[Image:Tourofcalifornia2008-Levi Leipheimer.jpg|thumb|alt=A cyclist wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him|Levi Leipheimer riding the prologue time trial of the Tour of California.]]
[[Image:Tourofcalifornia2008-Levi Leipheimer.jpg|thumb|alt=A cyclist wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him|Levi Leipheimer riding the prologue time trial of the Tour of California.]]


With the team disinvited from [[2008 Paris–Nice|Paris–Nice]] and [[2008 Tirreno–Adriatico|Tirreno–Adriatico]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Hedwig Kröner|title=High noon in France |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/parisnice08/ |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Big sprinters choose race of two seas |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/tirreno08/ |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> their next stage race was the [[Volta ao Distrito de Santarém]],<ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Volta ao Santarém - 2.1 |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/santarem08/default |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> a race which neither Astana nor Discovery Channel had participated in the year before.<ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Volta ao Santarém - 2.1 |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar07/santarem07/default |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team did not win any stage, though [[Andreas Klöden]] finished on the event's final podium, in third.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage 4 - March 16: Alcanena - Santarem, 149.9 km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/santarem08/santarem084 |publisher=Cycling News |date=03-16-08 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Astana next entered the [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]] with a squad that was thought to greatly outclass the squads entered by other teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana to hit hard with Tour-quality squad |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/default |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Contador won the opening time trial<ref name="vascoitt">{{cite web |title=Stage 1 - March 24: Valsain - La Granja de San Ildefonso (ITT), 9.7km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon081 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-03-24 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> and the mountainous fourth stage<ref>{{cite web |title=Contador on top in the mountains |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon084 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-03-27 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> en route to winning the race overall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fernandez tops on spectacular final stage |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon085 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-03-28 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Leipheimer also showed well, finishing 4 seconds off Contador's winning time in the time trial,<ref name="vascoitt" /> and falling only on Stage 4 where he rode in support of Contador, to finish in fourth overall.
With the team disinvited from [[2008 Paris–Nice|Paris–Nice]] and [[2008 Tirreno–Adriatico|Tirreno–Adriatico]],<ref>{{cite web |author=Hedwig Kröner|title=High noon in France |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/parisnice08/ |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-14| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090624112946/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/parisnice08/| archive-date= 24 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Gregor Brown |title=Big sprinters choose race of two seas |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/mar08/tirreno08/ |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> their next stage race was the [[Volta ao Distrito de Santarém]],<ref>{{cite web |title=3rd Volta ao Santarém – 2.1 |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/santarem08/default |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> a race which neither Astana nor Discovery Channel had participated in the year before.<ref>{{cite web |title=2nd Volta ao Santarém – 2.1 |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar07/santarem07/default |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team did not win any stage, though [[Andreas Klöden]] finished on the event's final podium, in third.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage 4 – March 16: Alcanena – Santarém, 149.9 km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/santarem08/santarem084 |work=Cycling News |date=March 16, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> Astana next entered the [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]] with a squad that was thought to greatly outclass the squads entered by other teams.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana to hit hard with Tour-quality squad |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/default |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> Contador won the opening time trial<ref name="vascoitt">{{cite web |title=Stage 1 – March 24: Valsain – La Granja de San Ildefonso (ITT), 9.7km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon081 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-03-24 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> and the mountainous fourth stage<ref>{{cite web |title=Contador on top in the mountains |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon084 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-03-27 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> en route to winning the race overall.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fernandez tops on spectacular final stage |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/mar08/castillaleon08/castillaleon085 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-03-28 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> Leipheimer also showed well, finishing 4 seconds off Contador's winning time in the time trial,<ref name="vascoitt" /> and falling only on Stage 4, where he rode in support of Contador, to finish in fourth overall.


In April, the team achieved great success in the [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], with Contador winning the opening stage, which had seven categorized climbs,<ref>{{cite web |author=Monika Prell|title=Contador smokes competition in Basque Country |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results/paisvasco081 |publisher=Cycling News |date=04-07-08 |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref> and the final individual time trial, to win the race overall.<ref>{{cite web |author=Monika Prell|title=Contador time trials away from his greatest rivals |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results/paisvasco086 |publisher=Cycling News |date=04-12-08 |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref> Just after the tour of the Basque country was the [[Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey]], an event in which Astana won a stage with [[Grégory Rast]] and the points classification with [[Assan Bazayev]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet|title=Rast shows Astana's motivation on the cobblestones |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/apr08/presidentialtour08/presidentialtour08Prologue |publisher=Cycling News |date=04-13-08 |accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet|title=Presidential welcome for Garcia Dapena's triumph |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/apr08/presidentialtour08/presidentialtour087 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-04-20 |accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref> Later in the month, the team sent a squad headed by Leipheimer and [[Chris Horner]] to the [[2008 Tour de Georgia|Tour de Georgia]]. They did not win any stage, but Leipheimer took third overall, and [[Antonio Colóm]] fourth.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=High Road closes out Georgia with stage win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/georgia08/?id=results/georgia087 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-04-27 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team was greatly successful at the [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]] later in the month, with [[Maxim Iglinskiy]] and Klöden both winning stages,<ref>{{cite web |author=Susan Westerneyer|title=Iglinsky takes wet stage - Albasini steps into yellow |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie081 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-04-30 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ben Atkins |title=He's back! Klöden seizes control in time trial |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie083 |publisher=Cycling News |date=05-02-08 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> and Klöden the race overall.<ref>{{cite web |author=Susan Westerneyer |title=Klöden caps comeback with Romandie title |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie085 |publisher=Cycling News |date=05-04-08 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> In the [[2008 Volta a Catalunya|Volta a Catalunya]], which was concurrent to the Giro d'Italia, the team did not win any stage, with [[Janez Brajkovič]]'s second in Stage 2 their closest result,<ref>{{cite web |title=Dessel solos to queen stage win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/may08/catalunya08/?id=results/catalunya082 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-05-21 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> though they did win the teams classification.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage 6 - May 25: Pallejà - Barcelona, 124.0km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/may08/catalunya08/?id=results/catalunya086 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-05-25 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref>
In April, the team achieved great success in the [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], with Contador winning the opening stage, which had seven categorized climbs,<ref>{{cite web |author=Monika Prell|title=Contador smokes competition in Basque Country |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results/paisvasco081 |work=Cycling News |date=April 7, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-25}}</ref> and the final individual time trial, to win the race overall.<ref>{{cite web|author=Monika Prell |title=Contador time trials away from his greatest rivals |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results/paisvasco086 |work=Cycling News |date=April 12, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618170532/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/paisvasco08/?id=results%2Fpaisvasco086 |archive-date=18 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Just after the tour of the Basque country was the [[Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey]], an event in which Astana won a stage with [[Grégory Rast]] and the points classification with [[Assan Bazayev]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet|title=Rast shows Astana's motivation on the cobblestones |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/apr08/presidentialtour08/presidentialtour08Prologue |work=Cycling News |date=April 13, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet|title=Presidential welcome for Garcia Dapena's triumph |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/apr08/presidentialtour08/presidentialtour087 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-04-20 |access-date=2009-07-29}}</ref> Later in the month, the team sent a squad headed by Leipheimer and [[Chris Horner]] to the [[2008 Tour de Georgia|Tour de Georgia]]. They did not win any stage, but Leipheimer took third overall, and [[Antonio Colóm]] fourth.<ref>{{cite web |author=Mark Zalewski |title=High Road closes out Georgia with stage win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/georgia08/?id=results/georgia087 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-04-27 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> The team was greatly successful at the [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]] later in the month, with [[Maxim Iglinskiy]] and Klöden both winning stages,<ref>{{cite web|author=Susan Westerneyer |title=Iglinsky takes wet stage – Albasini steps into yellow |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie081 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-04-30 |access-date=2009-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623093202/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results%2Fromandie081 |archive-date=23 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Ben Atkins |title=He's back! Klöden seizes control in time trial |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie083 |work=Cycling News |date=May 2, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> and Klöden the race overall.<ref>{{cite web|author=Susan Westerneyer |title=Klöden caps comeback with Romandie title |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results/romandie085 |work=Cycling News |date=May 4, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090622173207/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/apr08/romandie08/?id=results%2Fromandie085 |archive-date=22 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2008 Volta a Catalunya|Volta a Catalunya]], which was concurrent to the Giro d'Italia, the team did not win any stage, with [[Janez Brajkovič]]'s second in Stage 2 their closest result,<ref>{{cite web |title=Dessel solos to queen stage win |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/may08/catalunya08/?id=results/catalunya082 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-05-21 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> though they did win the teams classification.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stage 6 – May 25: Pallejà – Barcelona, 124.0km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/may08/catalunya08/?id=results/catalunya086 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-05-25 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref>


At the [[Tour de Luxembourg]] in June, Rast entered as defending champion and was considered among the favorites,<ref>{{cite web |title=Home rider to win five-day Luxembourg race? |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jun08/luxembourg08/default |publisher=Cycling News |date=06-04-08 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> but the team did not win any stage or finish on the podium. Leipheimer won the prologue time trial to the [[2008 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré|Dauphine Libéré]] later in the month,<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet |title=Leipheimer uses Giro form to beat Hushovd |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere080 |publisher=Cycling News |date=06-08-08 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> and wound up finishing third overall in the race.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet |title=Fofonov beats Trofimov as Valverde seals overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere087 |publisher=Cycling News |date=06-15-08 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> Klöden next took second overall in the [[2008 Tour de Suisse|Tour de Suisse]], later in June.<ref>{{cite web |author=Shane Stokes |title=Cancellara repeats, Kreuziger takes overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere087 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-06-22 |accessdate=2009-07-14}}</ref> The following month, Leipheiemer and Horner raced as Astana (though they were the only Astana riders in the event) at the [[Cascade Cycling Classic]], and Leipheimer was able to take the overall win there, largely thanks to a convincing victory in the third stage time trial.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kirsten Robbins |title=Leipheimer takes yellow after blazing TT |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/cascade08/cascade083 |publisher=Cycling News |date=07-11-08 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Kirsten Robbins|title= Escuela successful on final stage, Leipheimer claims yellow |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/cascade08/cascade086 |publisher=Cycling News |date=07-13-08 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref> On the same day, [[René Haselbacher]] won a stage in [[Österreich-Rundfahrt]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Haselbacher delivers first home victory |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/austriatour08/austriatour085 |publisher=Cycling News |date=07-11-08 |accessdate=2009-07-29}}</ref> Later in the month, [[Sergeui Ivanov]] won the [[Tour de Wallonie]], without winning a stage.<ref>{{cite web |title= Stage 5 - July 30: Welkenraedt - Aubel, 175.3 km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/regionwallonne08/regionwallonne085 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-07-30 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
At the [[Tour de Luxembourg]] in June, Rast entered as defending champion and was considered among the favorites,<ref>{{cite web |title=Home rider to win five-day Luxembourg race? |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jun08/luxembourg08/default |work=Cycling News |date=June 4, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> but the team did not win any stage or finish on the podium. Leipheimer won the prologue time trial to the [[2008 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré|Dauphine Libéré]] later in the month,<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet |title=Leipheimer uses Giro form to beat Hushovd |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere080 |work=Cycling News |date=June 8, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> and wound up finishing third overall in the race.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jean-François Quénet |title=Fofonov beats Trofimov as Valverde seals overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere087 |work=Cycling News |date=June 15, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> Klöden next took second overall in the [[2008 Tour de Suisse|Tour de Suisse]], later in June.<ref>{{cite web |author=Shane Stokes |title=Cancellara repeats, Kreuziger takes overall |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/jun08/dauphinelibere08/?id=results/dauphinelibere087 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-06-22 |access-date=2009-07-14}}</ref> The following month, Leipheiemer and Horner raced as Astana (though they were the only Astana riders in the event) at the [[Cascade Cycling Classic]], and Leipheimer was able to take the overall win there, largely thanks to a convincing victory in the third stage time trial.<ref>{{cite web |author=Kirsten Robbins |title=Leipheimer takes yellow after blazing TT |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/cascade08/cascade083 |work=Cycling News |date=July 11, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Kirsten Robbins|title= Escuela successful on final stage, Leipheimer claims yellow |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/cascade08/cascade086 |work=Cycling News |date=July 13, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref> On the same day, [[René Haselbacher]] won a stage in [[Tour of Austria]].<ref>{{cite web |title= Haselbacher delivers first home victory |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/austriatour08/austriatour085 |work=Cycling News |date=July 11, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-29}}</ref> Later in the month, [[Sergeui Ivanov]] won the [[Tour de Wallonie]], without winning a stage.<ref>{{cite web |title= Stage 5 – July 30: Welkenraedt – Aubel, 175.3 km |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road.php?id=road/2008/jul08/regionwallonne08/regionwallonne085 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-07-30 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref>


The team sent squads to the [[2008 Tour de Pologne|Tour de Pologne]], [[Tour de l'Ain]], [[Tour of Ireland]], and the [[2008 Eneco Tour of Benelux|Eneco Tour]], but did not obtain a stage win, classification win, or podium finish in any of them.
The team sent squads to the [[2008 Tour de Pologne|Tour de Pologne]], [[Tour de l'Ain]], [[Tour of Ireland]], and the [[2008 Eneco Tour of Benelux|Eneco Tour]], but did not obtain a stage win, classification win, or podium finish in any of them.


== Grand Tours ==
== Grand Tours ==

=== Giro d'Italia ===
=== Giro d'Italia ===
Astana was at first not invited to the Giro.<ref>{{cite web |author=Stephen Farrand |title=ASTANA AND HIGH ROAD NOT INVITED TO 2008 GIRO D’ITALIA |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/347805/astana-and-high-road-not-invited-to-2008-giro-d-italia.html |publisher=Cycling Weekly |date=02-01-08 |accessdate=07-11-09}}</ref> Six days before the race began, [[RCS MediaGroup|RCS Sport]] (the organizers of the Giro) went back on the decision to exclude Astana and extended them a late invitation. This change of heart was at least partly contingent on Contador, Leipheimer, and Klöden participating in the race.<ref>{{cite web |author=AFP Direct |title=Astana Will Race The Giro |url=http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-3-10-17106-1,00.html |publisher=''[[Bicycling (magazine)|Bicycling]]'' (bicycling.com) |date=2008-05-04 |accessdate=07-11-09}}</ref> Having thought for two months prior that they would not compete in the Giro, most of Astana's riders had planned to take a break during the Tour of Italy,<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Brewer |title=Astana Cycling Team Season Review (part 2 of 3) |url=http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/fresh_brew/08season2.html |publisher=Astana Cycling Team |accessdate=07-11-09}}</ref> and Contador was actually vacationing on a beach when Bruyneel called him to tell him the team was headed to the Giro.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.velonews.com/article/76007 |title=Contador: from the beach to the Giro |author=Andrew Hood |date=2008-05-09 |publisher=VeloNews.com |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref>
Astana was at first not invited to the Giro.<ref>{{cite web |author=Stephen Farrand |title=ASTANA AND HIGH ROAD NOT INVITED TO 2008 GIRO D'ITALIA |url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/347805/astana-and-high-road-not-invited-to-2008-giro-d-italia.html |publisher=Cycling Weekly |date=February 1, 2008 |access-date=July 11, 2009}}</ref> Six days before the race began, [[RCS MediaGroup|RCS Sport]] (the organizers of the Giro) went back on the decision to exclude Astana and extended them a late invitation. This change of heart was at least partly contingent on Contador, Leipheimer, and Klöden participating in the race.<ref>{{cite web|author=AFP Direct |title=Astana Will Race The Giro |url=http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s-3-10-17106-1,00.html |publisher=[[Bicycling (magazine)|Bicycling]] (bicycling.com) |date=2008-05-04 |access-date=July 11, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081009225141/http://www.bicycling.com/article/0%2C6610%2Cs-3-10-17106-1%2C00.html |archive-date=October 9, 2008 }}</ref> Having thought for two months prior that they would not compete in the Giro, most of Astana's riders had planned to take a break during the Tour of Italy,<ref>{{cite web |author=Chris Brewer |title=Astana Cycling Team Season Review (part 2 of 3) |url=http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/fresh_brew/08season2.html |publisher=Astana Cycling Team |access-date=July 11, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923175513/http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/fresh_brew/08season2.html |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and Contador was actually vacationing on a beach when Bruyneel called him to tell him the team was headed to the Giro.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.velonews.com/article/76007 |title=Contador: from the beach to the Giro |author=Andrew Hood |date=2008-05-09 |publisher=VeloNews.com |access-date=2009-07-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724013704/http://www.velonews.com/article/76007 |archive-date=2008-07-24 }}</ref>


[[Image:Contador rosa 5.JPG|left|thumb|alt=A cyclist in an all-pink jersey crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him|Contador wearing the [[pink jersey]] during the 21st stage of the [[2008 Giro d'Italia|Giro d'Italia]].]]
[[Image:Contador rosa 5.JPG|left|thumb|alt=A cyclist in an all-pink jersey crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him|Contador wearing the [[pink jersey]] during the 21st stage of the [[2008 Giro d'Italia|Giro d'Italia]].]]


The team mostly lay low in the race's first week and a half, with only fourth in a sprint from [[Assan Bazayev]] in Stage 4<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro084 |title='Manx Express' Cavendish takes first Grand Tour win |author=Shane Stokes |date=2008-05-13 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> and fifth in Stage 6 by [[Maxim Iglinsky]] from a breakaway to show for themselves through nine stages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro086 |title=Priamo nets first Giro win while Visconti lands big catch |author=Shane Stokes |date=2008-05-15 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Contador and Klöden both showed strongly in the Stage 10 [[individual time trial]], with Contador missing the stage win by just 8 seconds (Klöden was third, 20 seconds off [[Marzio Bruseghin]]'s winning time) and moving from eighth to fourth in the overall classification.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0810 |title=Wet Urbino run sorts out classification |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-20 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref>
The team mostly lay low in the race's first week and a half, with only fourth in a sprint from [[Assan Bazayev]] in Stage 4<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro084 |title='Manx Express' Cavendish takes first Grand Tour win |author=Shane Stokes |date=2008-05-13 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> and fifth in Stage 6 by [[Maxim Iglinsky]] from a breakaway to show for themselves through nine stages.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro086 |title=Priamo nets first Giro win while Visconti lands big catch |author=Shane Stokes |date=2008-05-15 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Contador and Klöden both showed strongly in the Stage 10 [[individual time trial]], with Contador missing the stage win by just 8 seconds (Klöden was third, 20 seconds off [[Marzio Bruseghin]]'s winning time) and moving from eighth to fourth in the overall classification.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0810 |title=Wet Urbino run sorts out classification |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-20 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref>


The high mountain Stage 14 into the Italian Alps saw Contador rise to second overall, just five seconds behind race leader [[Gabriele Bosisio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0814 |title=Sella dominates Giro's first high-mountain stage |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-24 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> The next day, Contador finished twelve minutes ahead of Bosisio and took the race leader's [[pink jersey]]. His main rival at that point was [[Riccardo Riccò]], who had gained 16 seconds on him that day and was only 33 back overall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0815 |title=Dolomite delight: Italy's Sella doubles, Contador in maglia rosa |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-25 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Contador padded his lead over Riccò slightly in short time trial in Stage 16,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0816 |title=Franco Pellizotti is king of Corones |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-26 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> and stayed out of trouble in Stages 17 and 18, stages where the contenders all finished together. The long and mountainous Stage 19 saw Riccò and [[Danilo Di Luca]] both put time into Contador with late attacks, but not enough to take the jersey from him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 |title=Contador proves tough under Di Luca's pressure |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-30 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Di Luca found himself effected the next day, losing over five minutes and falling from contention, but Contador and Riccò finished together and were separated by just 4 seconds entering the Stage 21 time trial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results/giro0820 |title=Contador one step closer to pink dream |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-31 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Riccò was unable to challenge Contador in the Giro's finale, finishing 68th on the stage and losing close to two minutes to Contador, who was 11th. Though neither Contador himself nor anyone from the team won any stage in the Giro, Contador took the overall victory in the [[General classification in the Giro d'Italia|General Classification]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results/giro0821 |title=Hola! Contador conquers second Grand Tour |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-06-01 |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref>
The high mountain Stage 14 into the Italian Alps saw Contador rise to second overall, just five seconds behind race leader [[Gabriele Bosisio]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0814 |title=Sella dominates Giro's first high-mountain stage |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-24 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> The next day, Contador finished twelve minutes ahead of Bosisio and took the race leader's [[pink jersey]]. His main rival at that point was [[Riccardo Riccò]], who had gained 16 seconds on him that day and was only 33 back overall.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0815 |title=Dolomite delight: Italy's Sella doubles, Contador in maglia rosa |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-25 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Contador padded his lead over Riccò slightly in short time trial in Stage 16,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0816 |title=Franco Pellizotti is king of Corones |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-26 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> and stayed out of trouble in Stages 17 and 18, stages where the contenders all finished together. The long and mountainous Stage 19 saw Riccò and [[Danilo Di Luca]] both put time into Contador with late attacks, but not enough to take the jersey from him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results/giro0819 |title=Contador proves tough under Di Luca's pressure |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-30 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618004930/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=results%2Fgiro0819 |archive-date=18 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Di Luca found himself effected the next day, losing over five minutes and falling from contention, but Contador and Riccò finished together and were separated by just 4 seconds entering the Stage 21 time trial.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results/giro0820 |title=Contador one step closer to pink dream |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-05-31 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Riccò was unable to challenge Contador in the Giro's finale, finishing 68th on the stage and losing close to two minutes to Contador, who was 11th. Though neither Contador himself nor anyone from the team won any stage in the Giro, Contador took the overall victory in the [[General classification in the Giro d'Italia|General Classification]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008//giro08/?id=results/giro0821 |title=Hola! Contador conquers second Grand Tour |author=Gregor Brown |date=2008-06-01 |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref>


=== Vuelta a España ===
=== Vuelta a España ===
Astana entered the Vuelta with Contador as a big favorite to win the overall title and complete the career sweep of the [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grand Tours]].<ref name= "vueltapreview">{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/ |title=Contador aiming for Grand Tour treble |author=Shane Stokes |publisher=Cycling News |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Astana's Vuelta actually began with a disappointment, an 8th place finish in the Stage 1 [[team time trial]], which either they or {{ct|SAX|2008b}} had been thought likeliest to win.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta081 |title=Liquigas surprise over time trialling favorites |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-08-30 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> After staying out of trouble in in sprinters' Stages 2 through 4, Leipheimer won the Stage 5 individual time trial and Contador was fourth, 49 seconds back of him. This gave Leipheimer the race leader's golden jersey by a margin of 2 seconds over [[Sylvain Chavanel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta085 |title=Double success for Leipheimer |author= Shane Stokes |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> It was not a lead that Astana intended to defend the next day, however, as Chavanel's {{ct|COF|2008}} team drove the peloton to catch the morning breakaway in Stage 6 so Chavanel could get bonus seconds in intermediate sprints to take the jersey, which he did.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta086 |title=Bettini is back as Chavanel storms into golden jersey |author= Bjorn Haake |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-04 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref>
Astana entered the Vuelta with Contador as a big favorite to win the overall title and complete the career sweep of the [[Grand Tour (cycling)|Grand Tours]].<ref name= "vueltapreview">{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/ |title=Contador aiming for Grand Tour treble |author=Shane Stokes |work=Cycling News |access-date=2009-07-11| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090628194056/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/| archive-date= 28 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref> Astana's Vuelta actually began with a disappointment, an 8th-place finish in the Stage 1 [[team time trial]], which either they or {{UCI team code|SAX|2008b}} had been thought likeliest to win.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta081 |title=Liquigas surprise over time trialling favorites |work=Cycling News |date=2008-08-30 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> After staying out of trouble in sprinters' Stages 2 through 4, Leipheimer won the Stage 5 individual time trial and Contador was fourth, 49 seconds back of him. This gave Leipheimer the race leader's golden jersey by a margin of 2 seconds over [[Sylvain Chavanel]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta085 |title=Double success for Leipheimer |author= Shane Stokes |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-03 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> It was not a lead that Astana intended to defend the next day, however, as Chavanel's {{UCI team code|COF|2008}} team drove the peloton to catch the morning breakaway in Stage 6 so Chavanel could get bonus seconds in intermediate sprints to take the jersey, which he did.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta086 |title=Bettini is back as Chavanel storms into golden jersey |author= Bjorn Haake |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-04 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref>


[[Image:Contador2.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A cyclist in a gold jersey with blue trim and blue shoes riding down a road, with spectators watching him from behind a guardrail and one headlight from a car behind him just in the frame|Contador wearing the [[Golden jersey statistics|golden jersey]] during the 20th stage of the [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]].]]
[[Image:Contador2.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=A cyclist in a gold jersey with blue trim and blue shoes riding down a road, with spectators watching him from behind a guardrail and one headlight from a car behind him just in the frame|Contador wearing the [[Golden jersey statistics|golden jersey]] during the 20th stage of the [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]].]]


The next stage, after the first rest day, was the longest in the Vuelta and contained numerous mountain climbs. It was made even more difficult by a consistent downfall of rain and cold temperatures. Contador and Leipheimer both marked the competition and finished well on the stage, third and fifth respectively, to maintain their high overall placings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta087 |title=Ballan takes dramatic first season win |author=Gregor Brown |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-06 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Leipheimer regained the race lead the next day essentially by default, as [[Alessandro Ballan]], who had won the difficult Stage 7, quickly faded on Stage 8.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta088 |title=Moncoutié delivers solo punch ahead of Astana show |author=Gregor Brown |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-07 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Again Astana did not work to keep Leipheimer in the race lead, affording a breakaway that included [[Egoi Martínez]] sufficient time that Martínez took the golden jersey.<ref name="egoi">{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta089 |title=Van Avermaet scoops biggest triumph, Martinez grabs lead |author=Shane Stokes |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-08 |accessdate=2008-07-11}}</ref> The next day, several local newspapers criticized Astana for the move, as {{ct|SAX|2008b|nolink=yes}} and {{ct|GCE|2008}} had tried to pull the peloton such that Astana would have no choice to defend the jersey, but were unable to force their hand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/noticias/noticias10.html?e=10 |title=What the papers say: Astana’s tactics turn Egoi into new race-leader |publisher=Web Oficial de la Vuelta a España |date=2008-09-09 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Martínez reacted to his assumption of the race lead as though it were a gift from his former manager Bruyneel.<ref name="egoi" />
The next stage, after the first rest day, was the longest in the Vuelta and contained numerous mountain climbs. It was made even more difficult by a consistent downfall of rain and cold temperatures. Contador and Leipheimer both marked the competition and finished well on the stage, third and fifth respectively, to maintain their high overall placings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta087 |title=Ballan takes dramatic first season win |author=Gregor Brown |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-06 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Leipheimer regained the race lead the next day essentially by default, as [[Alessandro Ballan]], who had won the difficult Stage 7, quickly faded on Stage 8.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta088 |title=Moncoutié delivers solo punch ahead of Astana show |author=Gregor Brown |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-07 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Again Astana did not work to keep Leipheimer in the race lead, affording a breakaway that included [[Egoi Martínez]] sufficient time that Martínez took the golden jersey.<ref name="egoi">{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta089 |title=Van Avermaet scoops biggest triumph, Martinez grabs lead |author=Shane Stokes |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-08 |access-date=2008-07-11}}</ref> The next day, several local newspapers criticized Astana for the move, as {{UCI team code|SAX|2008b|nolink=yes}} and {{UCI team code|GCE|2008}} had tried to pull the peloton such that Astana would have no choice to defend the jersey, but were unable to force their hand.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/noticias/noticias10.html?e=10 |title=What the papers say: Astana's tactics turn Egoi into new race-leader |publisher=Web Oficial de la Vuelta a España |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Martínez reacted to his assumption of the race lead as though it were a gift from his former manager Bruyneel.<ref name="egoi" />


Following several stages won by sprinters and breakaways, the next test for the riders was the legendary [[Alto de El Angliru]] in Stage 13. The morning breakaway was afforded over eleven minutes, but it was dropped to nothing on the ascent of what has been called the most difficult climb in all of professional cycling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=/features/2008/vuelta08_angliru |title=Tales from the peloton, September 11, 2008 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-11 |accessdate=2009-07-11 |quote=They either hate it or detest it. No sane cyclist - professional or otherwise - would climb the Alto del Angliru for ''fun''. But for all those whose sentiments for ''the'' hardest climb in the world are the polar opposite of affection, no one will argue that whoever wins this stage of the Vuelta a España will become a legend.}}</ref> Astana and Caisse d'Epargne both had many support riders in the leading group going up the climb, and they alternately tried to set paces to protect either Contador or [[Alejandro Valverde]] while isolating the competition. It was left to Leipheimer to pace Contador to the conclusion as the climb reached its hardest part, 7 kilometers from the finish. Contador indeed went on to win the stage, and took the race lead as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0813 |title=Contador reigns in Vuelta's most feared day |author=Gregor Brown |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-13 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Contador added another stage win the next day when only he and Leipheimer could respond to the repeated attacks of [[Ezequiel Mosquera]], and Contador won the sprint.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0814 |title=Contador puts golden stamp on Vuelta |author=Gregor Brown |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-14 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref>
Following several stages won by sprinters and breakaways, the next test for the riders was the legendary [[Alto de El Angliru]] in Stage 13. The morning breakaway was afforded over eleven minutes, but it was dropped to nothing on the ascent of what has been called the most difficult climb in all of professional cycling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=/features/2008/vuelta08_angliru |title=Tales from the peloton, September 11, 2008 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-11 |access-date=2009-07-11 |quote=They either hate it or detest it. No sane cyclist – professional or otherwise – would climb the Alto del Angliru for ''fun''. But for all those whose sentiments for ''the'' hardest climb in the world are the polar opposite of affection, no one will argue that whoever wins this stage of the Vuelta a España will become a legend. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090630023456/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=%2Ffeatures%2F2008%2Fvuelta08_angliru |archive-date=30 June 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Astana and Caisse d'Epargne both had many support riders in the leading group going up the climb, and they alternately tried to set paces to protect either Contador or [[Alejandro Valverde]] while isolating the competition. It was left to Leipheimer to pace Contador to the conclusion as the climb reached its hardest part, 7 kilometers from the finish. Contador indeed went on to win the stage, and took the race lead as well.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0813 |title=Contador reigns in Vuelta's most feared day |author=Gregor Brown |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-13 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Contador added another stage win the next day when only he and Leipheimer could respond to the repeated attacks of [[Ezequiel Mosquera]], and Contador won the sprint.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0814 |title=Contador puts golden stamp on Vuelta |author=Gregor Brown |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-14 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref>


The top ten in the general classification finished together in the next five stages, which were mostly friendly to sprinters and breakaways. Stage 20 was another time trial, one with an uphill finish. This time trial was won convincingly by Leipheimer, as only Contador and Valverde were within a minute of his winning time. This ride put Leipheimer 46 seconds off Contador's time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0820 |title=Leipheimer and Contador deliver one-two Astana punch |author=Gregor Brown |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-20 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> With the Vuelta's final stage flat and largely ceremonial, akin to the [[Champs-Élysées stage in the Tour de France]], this stood as the final result, with Contador winning the Vuelta to complete his career triple; he also won the [[Combination classification in the Vuelta a España|combination classification]] and its white jersey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0821 |title=Breschel tops sprint ahead of historic Contador win |author=Gregor Brown |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-09-21 |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> Minor controversy followed the Vuelta; Contador alleged that Leipheimer was not being a team player by seeming to ride the Stage 20 time trial with the aim of winning the Vuelta, after Contador had apparently been decided as the team's leader,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=3604414 |title=Contador says Armstrong could pose 'difficult' situation on team |author=ESPN.com news services |date=2008-09-24 |publisher=ESPN.com |accessdate=2009-07-11}}</ref> though the team had not firmly chosen a leader as the race began.<ref name="vueltapreview" />
The top ten in the general classification finished together in the next five stages, which were mostly friendly to sprinters and breakaways. Stage 20 was another time trial, one with an uphill finish. This time trial was won convincingly by Leipheimer, as only Contador and Valverde were within a minute of his winning time. This ride put Leipheimer 46 seconds off Contador's time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0820 |title=Leipheimer and Contador deliver one-two Astana punch |author=Gregor Brown |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-20 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> With the Vuelta's final stage flat and largely ceremonial, akin to the [[Champs-Élysées stage in the Tour de France]], this stood as the final result, with Contador winning the Vuelta to complete his career triple; he also won the [[Combination classification in the Vuelta a España|combination classification]] and its white jersey.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/vuelta08/?id=results/vuelta0821 |title=Breschel tops sprint ahead of historic Contador win |author=Gregor Brown |work=Cycling News |date=2008-09-21 |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> Minor controversy followed the Vuelta; Contador alleged that Leipheimer was not being a team player by seeming to ride the Stage 20 time trial with the aim of winning the Vuelta, after Contador had apparently been decided as the team's leader,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=3604414 |title=Contador says Armstrong could pose 'difficult' situation on team |author=ESPN.com news services |date=2008-09-24 |publisher=ESPN |access-date=2009-07-11}}</ref> though the team had not firmly chosen a leader as the race began.<ref name="vueltapreview" />


== Away from competition ==
== Away from competition ==

=== Exclusion from ASO races ===
=== Exclusion from ASO races ===
On February 13, it was announced that the [[Amaury Sport Organisation]] would not invite Astana to any of their races that season, which included the Tour de France, Paris–Nice, and numerous one-day races. The decision was made because of the doping perpetrated by Astana in its previous seasons, chief among the scandals the blood doping perpetrated by [[Alexander Vinokourov]] in the [[2007 Tour de France]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Cycling News |title=Astana banned by ASO - Contador unable to defend Tour de France title |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astana-banned-by-aso-contador-unable-to-defend-tour-de-france-title |publisher=Cycling News |date=02-13-08 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref> The team reacted with surprise and disappointment, particularly at the inability for Contador to defend his Tour de France championship and that the ban seemed to punish a team that no longer existed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Release: Astana Team Not Invited by ASO |url=http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/news_press/press_release-astana_team_not_invited_by_aso.html |quote=That the happenings of last year in Tour de France, prompted the Tour organizers to leave Astana out of the season's most important race, sounds understandable. However, Astana Cycling Team 2008 has nothing to do with the team of last year. We have done everything to change the dynamics of the team. New management, new riders, new philosophy. Only the name of the sponsor remained. |publisher=Astana Cycling Team |date=02-13-08 |accessdate=07-10-09}}</ref>
On February 13, it was announced that the [[Amaury Sport Organisation]] would not invite Astana to any of their races that season, which included the Tour de France, Paris–Nice, and numerous one-day races. The decision was made because of the doping perpetrated by Astana in its previous seasons; chief among these scandals was the blood doping perpetrated by [[Alexander Vinokourov]] in the [[2007 Tour de France]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana banned by ASO – Contador unable to defend Tour de France title |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astana-banned-by-aso-contador-unable-to-defend-tour-de-france-title |work=Cycling News |date=February 13, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2009}}</ref> The team reacted with surprise and disappointment, particularly since the ban seemed to punish a team that no longer existed, and as a result Contador would not be able to defend his Tour de France championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press Release: Astana Team Not Invited by ASO |url=http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/news_press/press_release-astana_team_not_invited_by_aso.html |quote=That the happenings of last year in Tour de France, prompted the Tour organizers to leave Astana out of the season's most important race, sounds understandable. However, Astana Cycling Team 2008 has nothing to do with the team of last year. We have done everything to change the dynamics of the team. New management, new riders, new philosophy. Only the name of the sponsor remained. |publisher=Astana Cycling Team |date=February 13, 2008 |access-date=July 10, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090102015837/http://www.astana-cyclingteam.com/news_press/press_release-astana_team_not_invited_by_aso.html |archive-date=January 2, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>


===Dismissal of Vladimir Gusev===
===Dismissal of Vladimir Gusev===
[[Image:Vladimir Gusev and Bobby Julich.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Two cyclists, one wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim and the other, to his right, a black and white jersey with red trim, race down a road while spectators watch from beside them|Gusev riding the third stage of the [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]], between Modesto and San José.]]
[[Image:Vladimir Gusev and Bobby Julich.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Two cyclists, one wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim and the other, to his right, a black and white jersey with red trim, race down a road while spectators watch from beside them|Gusev riding the third stage of the [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]], between Modesto and San José.]]
On June 26, the team fired [[Vladimir Gusev (cyclist)|Vladimir Gusev]] for "irregular values"<ref>{{cite web |author=Edward Wyatt |title= No Failed Test, but Rider Is Fired |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/sports/othersports/26doping.html |publisher=The New York Times |date=2008-07-26 |accessdate=2009-09-15}}</ref> given in an internal doping check as part of the program run by Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard, proprietor of a noted anti-doping system previously used by {{ct|SAX|2007}}.<ref>{{cite web |author=Cycling News |title=Astana in disbelief over ASO decision as Leipheimer vows to fight back |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/special-edition-cycling-news-february-14-2008 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-02-14 |accessdate=2009-09-15}}</ref> Though the values did not by themselves confirm doping on Gusev's part, they were taken as an indication of it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana sacks Gusev for "irregular values" |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/jul08/jul26news2 |publisher=Cycling News |date=2008-07-26 |accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>
On June 26, the team fired [[Vladimir Gusev (cyclist)|Vladimir Gusev]] for "irregular values"<ref>{{cite web |author=Edward Wyatt |title= No Failed Test, but Rider Is Fired |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/sports/othersports/26doping.html |work=The New York Times |date=2008-07-26 |access-date=2009-09-15}}</ref> given in an internal doping check as part of the program run by Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard, proprietor of a noted anti-doping system previously used by {{UCI team code|SAX|2007}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana in disbelief over ASO decision as Leipheimer vows to fight back |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/special-edition-cycling-news-february-14-2008 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-02-14 |access-date=2009-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090726104457/http://www.cyclingnews.com/editions/special-edition-cycling-news-february-14-2008 |archive-date=2009-07-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Though the values did not by themselves confirm doping on Gusev's part, they were taken as an indication of it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Astana sacks Gusev for "irregular values" |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2008/jul08/jul26news2 |work=Cycling News |date=2008-07-26 |access-date=2009-07-25}}</ref>


The firing also caused Gusev to be removed from Russia's team for the [[2008 Olympic Games]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/cyclingroad/n214511987.shtml|title=Four cyclists scratched from road race|publisher=The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games|date=2008-08-09|accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref> though he originally intended to sue the team in time to still take part in the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web|author=Cycling News |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-to-sue-astana-ride-olympics|title=Gusev to sue Astana, ride Olympics|publisher=Cycling News|date=2008-08-01|accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>
The firing also caused Gusev to be removed from Russia's team for the [[2008 Olympic Games]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/cyclingroad/n214511987.shtml |title=Four cyclists scratched from road race |publisher=The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games |date=2008-08-09 |access-date=2009-07-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428222455/http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/sports/headlines/cyclingroad/n214511987.shtml |archive-date=2009-04-28 }}</ref> though he originally intended to sue the team in time to still take part in the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-to-sue-astana-ride-olympics|title=Gusev to sue Astana, ride Olympics|work=Cycling News|date=2008-08-01|access-date=2009-07-25}}</ref>


On September 1, Gusev began his appeal of the firing, with the case eventually reaching the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]]. On June 18, 2009, the CAS ruled that Astana was in the wrong regarding Gusev's dismissal and ordered the team to pay his lost wages, legal fees, and compensatory damages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-back-in-action-after-cas-decision|author=Jean-François Quénet|title=Gusev back in action after CAS decision|publisher=Cycling News|date=2009-06-18|accessdate=2009-07-25}}</ref>
On September 1, Gusev began his appeal of the firing, with the case eventually reaching the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]]. On June 18, 2009, the CAS ruled that Astana was in the wrong regarding Gusev's dismissal and ordered the team to pay his lost wages, legal fees, and compensatory damages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-back-in-action-after-cas-decision|author=Jean-François Quénet|title=Gusev back in action after CAS decision|work=Cycling News|date=2009-06-18|access-date=2009-07-25| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090620060925/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gusev-back-in-action-after-cas-decision| archive-date= 20 June 2009 | url-status= live}}</ref>
{{-}}
{{Clear}}


=== Return of Lance Armstrong ===
=== Return of Lance Armstrong ===
Seven-time Tour de France winner [[Lance Armstrong]] revealed in an interview with [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] magazine published on September 9 that he intended to return to competitive cycling in 2009, after four years of retirement. Aside from trying to win an eighth Tour de France, his goal would be to raise public awareness and money for cancer research. He would ride for no salary.<ref>{{cite web |author=Douglas Brinkley |title=Lance Armstrong Rides Again |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809 |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=2008-09-09 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
Seven-time Tour de France winner [[Lance Armstrong]] revealed in an interview with [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] magazine published on September 9 that he intended to return to competitive cycling in 2009, after four years of retirement. Aside from trying to win an eighth Tour de France, his goal would be to raise public awareness and money for cancer research. He would ride for no salary.<ref>{{cite web |author=Douglas Brinkley |title=Lance Armstrong Rides Again |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809 |publisher=Vanity Fair |date=2008-09-09 |access-date=2009-07-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090530094605/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809| archive-date= 30 May 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>


[[Image:Lance Armstrong Tour de Gruene 2008-11-01.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A cyclist in a black jersey with gold trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road|Armstrong training for his 2009 comeback at a time trial in [[New Braunfels]], Texas on November 1.]]
[[Image:Lance Armstrong Tour de Gruene 2008-11-01.jpg|thumb|left|alt=A cyclist in a black jersey with gold trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road|Armstrong training for his 2009 comeback at a time trial in [[New Braunfels]], Texas on November 1.]]


It was speculated immediately that Armstrong would return with team Astana, as it was now headed by Armstrong's sporting director from each of his seven Tour de France victories, Johan Bruyneel.<ref name="velo">{{cite web |author=Neal Rogers|title=Source: Lance Armstrong coming back |url=http://www.velonews.com/article/82892 |publisher=VeloNews |date=09-08-08 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
It was speculated immediately that Armstrong would return with team Astana, as it was now headed by Armstrong's sporting director from each of his seven Tour de France victories, Johan Bruyneel.<ref name="velo">{{cite web |author=Neal Rogers|title=Source: Lance Armstrong coming back |url=http://www.velonews.com/article/82892 |publisher=VeloNews |date=September 8, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-15| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090611182002/http://velonews.com/article/82892| archive-date= 11 June 2009 | url-status= dead}}</ref>


Though spokespeople for the team first denied any plans to sign Armstrong,<ref name="velo" /> Bruyneel commented two days later during the then-ongoing Vuelta a España that he had spoken to Armstrong about his return, and could not imagine him riding for any team but Astana.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bruyneel has spoken with Armstrong |url=http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/online/peli11.html?e=11 |publisher=Web Oficial de la Vuelta a España 2008 |date=09-10-08 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref> On September 24, Armstrong signed with Astana.<ref>{{cite web |title=Armstrong to return with Astana |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/7632837.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-09-24 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
Though spokespeople for the team first denied any plans to sign Armstrong,<ref name="velo" /> Bruyneel commented two days later during the then-ongoing Vuelta a España that he had spoken to Armstrong about his return, and could not imagine him riding for any team but Astana.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bruyneel has spoken with Armstrong |url=http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/online/peli11.html?e=11 |publisher=Web Oficial de la Vuelta a España 2008 |date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=2009-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610010138/http://www.lavuelta.com/08/ingles/online/peli11.html?e=11 |archive-date=10 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On September 24, Armstrong signed with Astana.<ref>{{cite web |title=Armstrong to return with Astana |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/7632837.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2008-09-24 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref>


Armstrong's return was not well received by Contador, who asserted that he had earned the right to be a team leader and said he would consider leaving the team if he were relegated to a role supporting Armstrong.<ref>{{cite news | agency=The Associated Press |title=Contador Could Leave Astana If Armstrong Signs |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=cycling&id=3604384 |publisher=ESPN Sports |date=2008-09-23 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref>
Armstrong's return was not well received by Contador, who asserted that he had earned the right to be a team leader and said he would consider leaving the team if he were relegated to a role supporting Armstrong.<ref>{{cite news | agency=The Associated Press |title=Contador Could Leave Astana If Armstrong Signs |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=cycling&id=3604384 |publisher=ESPN Sports |date=2008-09-23 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref>


The team gave Contador assurances in the offseason that he would remain Astana's team leader,<ref>{{cite web |author=The Associated Press |title=Contador says Astana assured him he's still team leader despite Armstrong |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=3610229 |publisher=ABC News |date=2008-09-26 |accessdate=2009-07-15}}</ref> and Contador remained with the team for 2009, though the controversy over who would in fact be the team's leader lasted well into the [[2009 Tour de France]].
The team gave Contador assurances in the offseason that he would remain Astana's team leader,<ref>{{cite web |agency=Associated Press |title=Contador says Astana assured him he's still team leader despite Armstrong |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/cycling/news/story?id=3610229 |work=ABC News |date=2008-09-26 |access-date=2009-07-15}}</ref> and Contador remained with the team for 2009, though the controversy over who would in fact be the team's leader lasted well into the [[2009 Tour de France]].
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


== Season victories ==
== Season victories ==
{{commons category|Team Astana in 2008}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
! Date !! Race !! Competition !! Rider !! Country !! Location
! Date !! Race !! Competition !! Rider !! Country !! Location
|-
|-
| {{dts||February|21}} || [[Volta ao Algarve]], Stage 2 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Tomas|Vaitkus}}|LTU}} || {{POR}} || [[Lagos, Portugal|Lagos]]
| {{dts||February|21}} || [[Volta ao Algarve]], Stage 2 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Tomas|Vaitkus}}|LTU}} || Portugal || [[Lagos, Portugal|Lagos]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||February|22}} || [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]], Stage 5 || UCI America Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{USA}} || [[Solvang]]
| {{dts||February|22}} || [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]], Stage 5 || UCI America Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || United States || [[Solvang]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||February|24}} || [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]], Overall || UCI America Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{USA}} ||
| {{dts||February|24}} || [[2008 Tour of California|Tour of California]], Overall || UCI America Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || United States ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||March|5}} || [[Vuelta a Murcia]], Stage 2 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|José Luis|Rubiera}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[Totana]]
| {{dts||March|5}} || [[Vuelta a Murcia]], Stage 2 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|José Luis|Rubiera}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[Totana]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||March|23}} || [[Ronde van het Groene Hart]] || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Tomas|Vaitkus}}|LTU}} || {{NED}} || [[Woerden]]
| {{dts||March|23}} || [[Ronde van het Groene Hart]] || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Tomas|Vaitkus}}|LTU}} || Netherlands || [[Woerden]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||March|24}} || [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]], Stage 1 || UCI Europe Tour|| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[La Granja de San Ildefonso]]
| {{dts||March|24}} || [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]], Stage 1 || UCI Europe Tour|| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[La Granja de San Ildefonso]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||March|27}} || [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]], Stage 4 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[Montaña Palentina]]
| {{dts||March|27}} || [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]], Stage 4 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[Montaña Palentina]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||March|27}} || [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]], Overall || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} ||
| {{dts||March|27}} || [[2008 Vuelta a Castilla y León|Vuelta a Castilla y León]], Overall || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||April|7}} || [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], Stage 1 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[Legazpi, Spain|Legazpi]]
| {{dts||April|7}} || [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], Stage 1 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[Legazpi, Spain|Legazpi]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||April|12}} || [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], Stage 6 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[Orio]]
| {{dts||April|12}} || [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], Stage 6 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[Orio, Spain|Orio]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||April|12}} || [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], Overall || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} ||
| {{dts||April|12}} || [[2008 Vuelta al País Vasco|Vuelta al País Vasco]], Overall || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||April|13}} || [[Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey]], Prologue || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Grégory|Rast}}|SUI}} || {{TUR}} || [[Istanbul]]
| {{dts||April|13}} || [[Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey]], Prologue || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Grégory|Rast}}|SUI}} || Turkey || [[Istanbul]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||April|20}} || [[Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey]], Points Classification || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Assan|Bazayev}}|KAZ}} || {{TUR}} ||
| {{dts||April|20}} || [[Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey]], Points Classification || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Assan|Bazayev}}|KAZ}} || Turkey ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||April|30}} || [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]], Stage 1 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Maxim|Iglinsky}}|KAZ}} || {{SUI}} || [[Saignelégier]]
| {{dts||April|30}} || [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]], Stage 1 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Maxim|Iglinsky}}|KAZ}} || Switzerland || [[Saignelégier]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||May|2}} || [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]], Stage 3 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Andreas|Klöden}}|GER}} || {{SUI}} || [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]]
| {{dts||May|2}} || [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]], Stage 3 || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Andreas|Klöden}}|GER}} || Switzerland || [[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||May|5}} || [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]], Overall || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Andreas|Klöden}}|GER}} || {{SUI}} ||
| {{dts||May|5}} || [[2008 Tour de Romandie|Tour de Romandie]], Overall || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Andreas|Klöden}}|GER}} || Switzerland ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||June|1}} || [[2008 Giro d'Italia|Giro d'Italia]], Overall || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ITA}} ||
| {{dts||June|1}} || [[2008 Giro d'Italia|Giro d'Italia]], Overall || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Italy ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||June|8}} || [[2008 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré|Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré]], Prologue || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{FRA}} || [[Avignon]]
| {{dts||June|8}} || [[2008 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré|Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré]], Prologue || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || France || [[Avignon]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||June|22}} || [[2008 Tour de Suisse|Tour de Suisse]], Mountains classification || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Maxim|Iglinsky}}|KAZ}} || {{SUI}} ||
| {{dts||June|22}} || [[2008 Tour de Suisse|Tour de Suisse]], Mountains classification || UCI ProTour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Maxim|Iglinsky}}|KAZ}} || Switzerland ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||July|11}} || [[Österreich-Rundfahrt]], Stage 5 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|René|Haselbacher}}|AUT}} || {{AUT}} || [[Bad Vöslau]]
| {{dts||July|11}} || [[Tour of Austria]], Stage 5 || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|René|Haselbacher}}|AUT}} || Austria || [[Bad Vöslau]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||July|11}} || [[Cascade Cycling Classic]], Stage 3 || National event || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{USA}} || [[Bend, Oregon|Bend]]
| {{dts||July|11}} || [[Cascade Cycling Classic]], Stage 3 || National event || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || United States || [[Bend, Oregon|Bend]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||July|13}} || [[Cascade Cycling Classic]], Overall || National event || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{USA}} ||
| {{dts||July|13}} || [[Cascade Cycling Classic]], Overall || National event || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || United States ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||July|30}} || [[Tour de Wallonie]], Overall || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Sergeui|Ivanov}}|RUS}} || {{BEL}} ||
| {{dts||July|30}} || [[Tour de Wallonie]], Overall || UCI Europe Tour || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Sergeui|Ivanov}}|RUS}} || Belgium ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||August|24}} || [[Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama]] || UCI Europe Tour|| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{ESP}} || [[Guadarrama]]
| {{dts||August|24}} || [[Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama]] || UCI Europe Tour|| {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || Spain || [[Guadarrama]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||September|3}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 5 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{ESP}} || [[Ciudad Real]]
| {{dts||September|3}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 5 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || Spain || [[Ciudad Real]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||September|13}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 13 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[Alto de El Angliru]]
| {{dts||September|13}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 13 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[Alto de El Angliru]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||September|14}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 14 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} || [[Fuentes de Invierno]]
| {{dts||September|14}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 14 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain || [[Fuentes de Invierno]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||September|20}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 20 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || {{ESP}} || [[Alto de Navacerrada]]
| {{dts||September|20}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Stage 20 || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Levi|Leipheimer}}|USA}} || Spain || [[Alto de Navacerrada]]
|-
|-
| {{dts||September|21}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Overall || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} ||
| {{dts||September|21}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Overall || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain ||
|-
|-
| {{dts||September|21}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Combination classification || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || {{ESP}} ||
| {{dts||September|21}} || [[2008 Vuelta a España|Vuelta a España]], Combination classification || None || {{flagathlete|{{sortname|Alberto|Contador}}|ESP}} || Spain ||
|}
|}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Astana seasons}}
{{Astana seasons|state=expanded}}
{{2008 road cycling season by team}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Astana 2008}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Astana 2008}}
[[Category:2008 in road cycling]]
[[Category:2008 road cycling season by team]]
[[Category:Cycling team seasons]]
[[Category:Astana Qazaqstan Team]]
[[Category:2008 in Kazakhstani sport]]

[[de:Pro Team Astana/Saison 2008]]
[[es:Anexo:Astana - Temporada 2008]]
[[fr:Saison 2008 de l'équipe cycliste Astana]]
[[it:Astana Team 2008]]
[[nl:Astana (wielerploeg)/2008]]

Latest revision as of 18:34, 16 July 2024

2008 Astana season
Manager Johan Bruyneel
One-day victories 2
Stage race overall victories 8
Stage race stage victories 18
Previous season • Next season

The 2008 season for the Astana 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 and obliged to attend every event in the UCI ProTour.

Astana changed drastically between the 2007 and 2008 seasons, with its former manager Marc Biver replaced by Johan Bruyneel from the dissolved Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team. Following Bruyneel to Astana were several riders from that team, including Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer, who had finished first and third, respectively, in the 2007 Tour de France for Discovery. Numerous riders also left the team, including Matthias Kessler, Andrey Kashechkin, and Alexander Vinokourov, who had all tested positive for doping.

The team's biggest successes in 2008 were the overall victories by Contador in the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España. As the team was barred from competing in the Tour de France that year, as well as other events organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation, Contador was unable to defend his championship from the year before.

Just as the team's competitive season was nearing its end, Lance Armstrong announced that he planned to return to competitive cycling in 2009 after a four-year absence. As Bruyneel was Armstrong's team manager for all seven of his Tour de France victories, there was much speculation immediately that Armstrong would sign with Astana in his comeback, which he eventually did.

2008 team roster

[edit]

Ages as of January 1, 2008[1]

Rider Date of birth
 Assan Bazayev (KAZ) (1981-02-22)February 22, 1981 (aged 26)
 Janez Brajkovič (SLO) (1983-12-18)December 18, 1983 (aged 24)
 Antonio Colóm (ESP) (1978-05-11)May 11, 1978 (aged 29)
 Alberto Contador (ESP) (1982-12-06)December 6, 1982 (aged 25)
 Koen de Kort (NED) (1982-09-08)September 8, 1982 (aged 25)
 Thomas Frei (SUI) (1984-01-19)January 19, 1984 (aged 23)
 Vladimir Gusev[2] (RUS) (1981-07-04)July 4, 1981 (aged 26)
 René Haselbacher (AUT) (1977-09-15)September 15, 1977 (aged 30)
 Chris Horner (USA) (1971-10-23)October 23, 1971 (aged 36)
 Maxim Iglinskiy (KAZ) (1981-04-18)April 18, 1981 (aged 26)
 Sergei Ivanov (RUS) (1975-03-05)March 5, 1975 (aged 32)
 Benoît Joachim (LUX) (1976-01-04)January 4, 1976 (aged 31)
 Aaron Kemps (AUS) (1983-09-10)September 10, 1983 (aged 24)
 Roman Kireyev (KAZ) (1987-02-14)February 14, 1987 (aged 20)
 Andreas Klöden (GER) (1975-06-22)June 22, 1975 (aged 32)
Rider Date of birth
 Berik Kupeshov (KAZ) (1987-01-30)January 30, 1987 (aged 20)
 Levi Leipheimer (USA) (1973-10-24)October 24, 1973 (aged 34)
 Julien Mazet (FRA) (1981-03-19)March 19, 1981 (aged 26)
 Andrey Mizurov (KAZ) (1973-03-16)March 16, 1973 (aged 34)
 Steve Morabito (SUI) (1983-01-30)January 30, 1983 (aged 24)
 Dmitriy Muravyev (KAZ) (1979-02-11)February 11, 1979 (aged 28)
 Daniel Navarro (ESP) (1983-07-08)July 8, 1983 (aged 24)
 Benjamín Noval (ESP) (1979-01-23)January 23, 1979 (aged 28)
 Sérgio Paulinho (POR) (1980-03-26)March 26, 1980 (aged 27)
 Grégory Rast (SUI) (1980-01-17)January 17, 1980 (aged 27)
 José Luis Rubiera (ESP) (1973-01-27)January 27, 1973 (aged 34)
 Michael Schär (SUI) (1986-09-29)September 29, 1986 (aged 21)
 Tomas Vaitkus (LTU) (1982-02-04)February 4, 1982 (aged 25)
 Sergei Yakovlev (KAZ) (1976-04-21)April 21, 1976 (aged 31)
 Andrey Zeits (KAZ) (1986-12-14)December 14, 1986 (aged 21)

One-day races

[edit]

Spring classics

[edit]

By their own admission, Astana does not aim for the classics.[4] The team first participated in Omloop Het Volk on March 1, with Dmitriy Muravyev in 31st their best-placed rider.[5] Sergei Ivanov's 7th in the Amstel Gold Race[6] proved to be one of the team's best results all season, as in the other spring races in which they competed, Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne, the Tour of Flanders, and Gent–Wevelgem, they did not have a rider place higher than 13th.[7][8][9] Due in part to the ban imposed by the Amaury Sport Organisation from participating in races they organized, the team did not compete in Milan–San Remo, Paris–Roubaix, La Flèche Wallonne, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, or other races in which a team of their caliber would normally take part. In March, Tomas Vaitkus earned the team's lone one-day victory of the spring season, winning a sprint finish to the Ronde van het Groene Hart.[10]

Fall races

[edit]

The team entered the Clásica de San Sebastián in August, with Contador in 26th their highest-placed finisher. Contador, like many riders in the event, rode it as preparation for the road cycling events at the 2008 Olympic Games.[11] Astana also took part in Vattenfall Cyclassics, the Coppa Sabatini, Paris–Bourges, the Giro dell'Emilia, the Gran Premio Bruno Beghelli, Milano–Torino, and the Giro del Piemonte in September and October, but did not obtain a place higher than 11th (by Janez Brajkovič in the Giro dell'Emilia).[12] In August, Leipheimer and Contador took the top two spots in the Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama, a race they rode as preparation for the Vuelta a España.[13]

In the Giro di Lombardia, Astana's final race of the season, they were more successful than they had been most of the season, attaining a fourth podium finish in a one-day race on the year. While Damiano Cunego had broken away from the field with 15 kilometers left to race to win the event, Brajkovič won a sprint over Caisse d'Epargne's Rigoberto Urán for second, and reacted as though he won the race. Chris Horner was also highly placed in the event, finishing seventh.[14]

Stage races

[edit]

Astana attended the Tour Down Under for the first time in 2008, as it was the first year the event was part of the UCI ProTour. The team was not very competitive in the event, with a fifth place in a sprint finish to Stage 2 from Aaron Kemps as their best stage result. They also led the teams classification after that stage.[15] The team's best-placed rider in the final overall classification was José Luis Rubiera, ranked 31st.[16] The team then attended the Tour of California in February. Leipheimer was the team leader for the event, as he was the defending champion from 2007 with Team Discovery.[17] Leipheimer assumed the race lead after Stage 3, having worked with Rabobank rider Robert Gesink to gain time on the peloton with Gesink claiming the stage win and Leipheimer the overall lead.[18] Leipheimer padded his lead by winning the individual time trial in Solvang two days later[19] and held on to win the Tour itself for the second straight year.[20] While the Tour of California was ongoing, Astana sent another squad to the Volta ao Algarve, with Tomas Vaitkus claiming a win in Stage 2.[21] Rubiera was the victor in early March of the queen stage of the Vuelta a Murcia, a stage which the peloton almost refused to race because of the weather and safety conditions.[22]

A cyclist wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him
Levi Leipheimer riding the prologue time trial of the Tour of California.

With the team disinvited from Paris–Nice and Tirreno–Adriatico,[23][24] their next stage race was the Volta ao Distrito de Santarém,[25] a race which neither Astana nor Discovery Channel had participated in the year before.[26] The team did not win any stage, though Andreas Klöden finished on the event's final podium, in third.[27] Astana next entered the Vuelta a Castilla y León with a squad that was thought to greatly outclass the squads entered by other teams.[28] Contador won the opening time trial[29] and the mountainous fourth stage[30] en route to winning the race overall.[31] Leipheimer also showed well, finishing 4 seconds off Contador's winning time in the time trial,[29] and falling only on Stage 4, where he rode in support of Contador, to finish in fourth overall.

In April, the team achieved great success in the Vuelta al País Vasco, with Contador winning the opening stage, which had seven categorized climbs,[32] and the final individual time trial, to win the race overall.[33] Just after the tour of the Basque country was the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, an event in which Astana won a stage with Grégory Rast and the points classification with Assan Bazayev.[34][35] Later in the month, the team sent a squad headed by Leipheimer and Chris Horner to the Tour de Georgia. They did not win any stage, but Leipheimer took third overall, and Antonio Colóm fourth.[36] The team was greatly successful at the Tour de Romandie later in the month, with Maxim Iglinskiy and Klöden both winning stages,[37][38] and Klöden the race overall.[39] In the Volta a Catalunya, which was concurrent to the Giro d'Italia, the team did not win any stage, with Janez Brajkovič's second in Stage 2 their closest result,[40] though they did win the teams classification.[41]

At the Tour de Luxembourg in June, Rast entered as defending champion and was considered among the favorites,[42] but the team did not win any stage or finish on the podium. Leipheimer won the prologue time trial to the Dauphine Libéré later in the month,[43] and wound up finishing third overall in the race.[44] Klöden next took second overall in the Tour de Suisse, later in June.[45] The following month, Leipheiemer and Horner raced as Astana (though they were the only Astana riders in the event) at the Cascade Cycling Classic, and Leipheimer was able to take the overall win there, largely thanks to a convincing victory in the third stage time trial.[46][47] On the same day, René Haselbacher won a stage in Tour of Austria.[48] Later in the month, Sergeui Ivanov won the Tour de Wallonie, without winning a stage.[49]

The team sent squads to the Tour de Pologne, Tour de l'Ain, Tour of Ireland, and the Eneco Tour, but did not obtain a stage win, classification win, or podium finish in any of them.

Grand Tours

[edit]

Giro d'Italia

[edit]

Astana was at first not invited to the Giro.[50] Six days before the race began, RCS Sport (the organizers of the Giro) went back on the decision to exclude Astana and extended them a late invitation. This change of heart was at least partly contingent on Contador, Leipheimer, and Klöden participating in the race.[51] Having thought for two months prior that they would not compete in the Giro, most of Astana's riders had planned to take a break during the Tour of Italy,[52] and Contador was actually vacationing on a beach when Bruyneel called him to tell him the team was headed to the Giro.[53]

A cyclist in an all-pink jersey crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road with spectators on the side watching him
Contador wearing the pink jersey during the 21st stage of the Giro d'Italia.

The team mostly lay low in the race's first week and a half, with only fourth in a sprint from Assan Bazayev in Stage 4[54] and fifth in Stage 6 by Maxim Iglinsky from a breakaway to show for themselves through nine stages.[55] Contador and Klöden both showed strongly in the Stage 10 individual time trial, with Contador missing the stage win by just 8 seconds (Klöden was third, 20 seconds off Marzio Bruseghin's winning time) and moving from eighth to fourth in the overall classification.[56]

The high mountain Stage 14 into the Italian Alps saw Contador rise to second overall, just five seconds behind race leader Gabriele Bosisio.[57] The next day, Contador finished twelve minutes ahead of Bosisio and took the race leader's pink jersey. His main rival at that point was Riccardo Riccò, who had gained 16 seconds on him that day and was only 33 back overall.[58] Contador padded his lead over Riccò slightly in short time trial in Stage 16,[59] and stayed out of trouble in Stages 17 and 18, stages where the contenders all finished together. The long and mountainous Stage 19 saw Riccò and Danilo Di Luca both put time into Contador with late attacks, but not enough to take the jersey from him.[60] Di Luca found himself effected the next day, losing over five minutes and falling from contention, but Contador and Riccò finished together and were separated by just 4 seconds entering the Stage 21 time trial.[61] Riccò was unable to challenge Contador in the Giro's finale, finishing 68th on the stage and losing close to two minutes to Contador, who was 11th. Though neither Contador himself nor anyone from the team won any stage in the Giro, Contador took the overall victory in the General Classification.[62]

Vuelta a España

[edit]

Astana entered the Vuelta with Contador as a big favorite to win the overall title and complete the career sweep of the Grand Tours.[63] Astana's Vuelta actually began with a disappointment, an 8th-place finish in the Stage 1 team time trial, which either they or CSC–Saxo Bank had been thought likeliest to win.[64] After staying out of trouble in sprinters' Stages 2 through 4, Leipheimer won the Stage 5 individual time trial and Contador was fourth, 49 seconds back of him. This gave Leipheimer the race leader's golden jersey by a margin of 2 seconds over Sylvain Chavanel.[65] It was not a lead that Astana intended to defend the next day, however, as Chavanel's Cofidis team drove the peloton to catch the morning breakaway in Stage 6 so Chavanel could get bonus seconds in intermediate sprints to take the jersey, which he did.[66]

A cyclist in a gold jersey with blue trim and blue shoes riding down a road, with spectators watching him from behind a guardrail and one headlight from a car behind him just in the frame
Contador wearing the golden jersey during the 20th stage of the Vuelta a España.

The next stage, after the first rest day, was the longest in the Vuelta and contained numerous mountain climbs. It was made even more difficult by a consistent downfall of rain and cold temperatures. Contador and Leipheimer both marked the competition and finished well on the stage, third and fifth respectively, to maintain their high overall placings.[67] Leipheimer regained the race lead the next day essentially by default, as Alessandro Ballan, who had won the difficult Stage 7, quickly faded on Stage 8.[68] Again Astana did not work to keep Leipheimer in the race lead, affording a breakaway that included Egoi Martínez sufficient time that Martínez took the golden jersey.[69] The next day, several local newspapers criticized Astana for the move, as CSC–Saxo Bank and Caisse d'Epargne had tried to pull the peloton such that Astana would have no choice to defend the jersey, but were unable to force their hand.[70] Martínez reacted to his assumption of the race lead as though it were a gift from his former manager Bruyneel.[69]

Following several stages won by sprinters and breakaways, the next test for the riders was the legendary Alto de El Angliru in Stage 13. The morning breakaway was afforded over eleven minutes, but it was dropped to nothing on the ascent of what has been called the most difficult climb in all of professional cycling.[71] Astana and Caisse d'Epargne both had many support riders in the leading group going up the climb, and they alternately tried to set paces to protect either Contador or Alejandro Valverde while isolating the competition. It was left to Leipheimer to pace Contador to the conclusion as the climb reached its hardest part, 7 kilometers from the finish. Contador indeed went on to win the stage, and took the race lead as well.[72] Contador added another stage win the next day when only he and Leipheimer could respond to the repeated attacks of Ezequiel Mosquera, and Contador won the sprint.[73]

The top ten in the general classification finished together in the next five stages, which were mostly friendly to sprinters and breakaways. Stage 20 was another time trial, one with an uphill finish. This time trial was won convincingly by Leipheimer, as only Contador and Valverde were within a minute of his winning time. This ride put Leipheimer 46 seconds off Contador's time.[74] With the Vuelta's final stage flat and largely ceremonial, akin to the Champs-Élysées stage in the Tour de France, this stood as the final result, with Contador winning the Vuelta to complete his career triple; he also won the combination classification and its white jersey.[75] Minor controversy followed the Vuelta; Contador alleged that Leipheimer was not being a team player by seeming to ride the Stage 20 time trial with the aim of winning the Vuelta, after Contador had apparently been decided as the team's leader,[76] though the team had not firmly chosen a leader as the race began.[63]

Away from competition

[edit]

Exclusion from ASO races

[edit]

On February 13, it was announced that the Amaury Sport Organisation would not invite Astana to any of their races that season, which included the Tour de France, Paris–Nice, and numerous one-day races. The decision was made because of the doping perpetrated by Astana in its previous seasons; chief among these scandals was the blood doping perpetrated by Alexander Vinokourov in the 2007 Tour de France.[77] The team reacted with surprise and disappointment, particularly since the ban seemed to punish a team that no longer existed, and as a result Contador would not be able to defend his Tour de France championship.[78]

Dismissal of Vladimir Gusev

[edit]
Two cyclists, one wearing a blue and white jersey with yellow trim and the other, to his right, a black and white jersey with red trim, race down a road while spectators watch from beside them
Gusev riding the third stage of the Tour of California, between Modesto and San José.

On June 26, the team fired Vladimir Gusev for "irregular values"[79] given in an internal doping check as part of the program run by Dr. Rasmus Damsgaard, proprietor of a noted anti-doping system previously used by Team CSC.[80] Though the values did not by themselves confirm doping on Gusev's part, they were taken as an indication of it.[81]

The firing also caused Gusev to be removed from Russia's team for the 2008 Olympic Games,[82] though he originally intended to sue the team in time to still take part in the Olympics.[83]

On September 1, Gusev began his appeal of the firing, with the case eventually reaching the Court of Arbitration for Sport. On June 18, 2009, the CAS ruled that Astana was in the wrong regarding Gusev's dismissal and ordered the team to pay his lost wages, legal fees, and compensatory damages.[84]

Return of Lance Armstrong

[edit]

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong revealed in an interview with Vanity Fair magazine published on September 9 that he intended to return to competitive cycling in 2009, after four years of retirement. Aside from trying to win an eighth Tour de France, his goal would be to raise public awareness and money for cancer research. He would ride for no salary.[85]

A cyclist in a black jersey with gold trim crouched into an aerodynamic position on his bicycle, riding down a road
Armstrong training for his 2009 comeback at a time trial in New Braunfels, Texas on November 1.

It was speculated immediately that Armstrong would return with team Astana, as it was now headed by Armstrong's sporting director from each of his seven Tour de France victories, Johan Bruyneel.[86]

Though spokespeople for the team first denied any plans to sign Armstrong,[86] Bruyneel commented two days later during the then-ongoing Vuelta a España that he had spoken to Armstrong about his return, and could not imagine him riding for any team but Astana.[87] On September 24, Armstrong signed with Astana.[88]

Armstrong's return was not well received by Contador, who asserted that he had earned the right to be a team leader and said he would consider leaving the team if he were relegated to a role supporting Armstrong.[89]

The team gave Contador assurances in the offseason that he would remain Astana's team leader,[90] and Contador remained with the team for 2009, though the controversy over who would in fact be the team's leader lasted well into the 2009 Tour de France.

Season victories

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Team Astana in 2008.
Date Race Competition Rider Country Location
February 21 Volta ao Algarve, Stage 2 UCI Europe Tour  Tomas Vaitkus (LTU) Portugal Lagos
February 22 Tour of California, Stage 5 UCI America Tour  Levi Leipheimer (USA) United States Solvang
February 24 Tour of California, Overall UCI America Tour  Levi Leipheimer (USA) United States
March 5 Vuelta a Murcia, Stage 2 UCI Europe Tour  José Luis Rubiera (ESP) Spain Totana
March 23 Ronde van het Groene Hart UCI Europe Tour  Tomas Vaitkus (LTU) Netherlands Woerden
March 24 Vuelta a Castilla y León, Stage 1 UCI Europe Tour  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain La Granja de San Ildefonso
March 27 Vuelta a Castilla y León, Stage 4 UCI Europe Tour  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain Montaña Palentina
March 27 Vuelta a Castilla y León, Overall UCI Europe Tour  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain
April 7 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 1 UCI ProTour  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain Legazpi
April 12 Vuelta al País Vasco, Stage 6 UCI ProTour  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain Orio
April 12 Vuelta al País Vasco, Overall UCI ProTour  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain
April 13 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, Prologue UCI Europe Tour  Grégory Rast (SUI) Turkey Istanbul
April 20 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey, Points Classification UCI Europe Tour  Assan Bazayev (KAZ) Turkey
April 30 Tour de Romandie, Stage 1 UCI ProTour  Maxim Iglinsky (KAZ) Switzerland Saignelégier
May 2 Tour de Romandie, Stage 3 UCI ProTour  Andreas Klöden (GER) Switzerland Sion
May 5 Tour de Romandie, Overall UCI ProTour  Andreas Klöden (GER) Switzerland
June 1 Giro d'Italia, Overall None  Alberto Contador (ESP) Italy
June 8 Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, Prologue UCI ProTour  Levi Leipheimer (USA) France Avignon
June 22 Tour de Suisse, Mountains classification UCI ProTour  Maxim Iglinsky (KAZ) Switzerland
July 11 Tour of Austria, Stage 5 UCI Europe Tour  René Haselbacher (AUT) Austria Bad Vöslau
July 11 Cascade Cycling Classic, Stage 3 National event  Levi Leipheimer (USA) United States Bend
July 13 Cascade Cycling Classic, Overall National event  Levi Leipheimer (USA) United States
July 30 Tour de Wallonie, Overall UCI Europe Tour  Sergeui Ivanov (RUS) Belgium
August 24 Clásica a los Puertos de Guadarrama UCI Europe Tour  Levi Leipheimer (USA) Spain Guadarrama
September 3 Vuelta a España, Stage 5 None  Levi Leipheimer (USA) Spain Ciudad Real
September 13 Vuelta a España, Stage 13 None  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain Alto de El Angliru
September 14 Vuelta a España, Stage 14 None  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain Fuentes de Invierno
September 20 Vuelta a España, Stage 20 None  Levi Leipheimer (USA) Spain Alto de Navacerrada
September 21 Vuelta a España, Overall None  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain
September 21 Vuelta a España, Combination classification None  Alberto Contador (ESP) Spain

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