Astana, December 28, 2025 – The Europe Today: XDS Astana Team is set to begin its 21st season at the highest level of professional cycling, the UCI WorldTour, with the team fully prepared to build on the momentum of a highly successful anniversary year, the team’s press service said.
The 20th season marked a major breakthrough for XDS Astana Team, as it recorded 32 victories, 73 podium finishes, and secured fourth place in the WorldTeam ranking. With a new three-year WorldTour cycle now underway, the team enters the upcoming season with renewed confidence and ambitious goals.
For the 2026 season, XDS Astana Team will field a roster of 30 riders. While the lineup remains largely unchanged from the previous year, it has been further strengthened by the addition of four new riders — Arjen Livyns, Cristián Rodríguez, Marco Schrettl, and Thomas Silva. In addition, two riders, Gleb Syritsa and Lev Gonov, have been promoted from the XDS Astana Development Team.
Commenting on the team’s outlook, General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov said the recently concluded season provided both motivation and renewed belief in the team’s potential.
“The season that has finished brought us unforgettable emotions and tremendous motivation to keep moving forward and continue improving. We managed not only to achieve our objectives, but, most importantly, to restore our confidence — the belief that the team is capable of achieving any goal set before it, even those that may seem unattainable,” Vinokurov said.
He expressed appreciation to the team’s main partners, including Samruk-Kazyna, the SportQory Sports Support Fund, and XDS, for their continued support, noting that the team completed its 20th anniversary season in a “bright and successful manner.”
Vinokurov added that the start of a new three-year WorldTour cycle brings fresh challenges and ambitious targets. Among the team’s priorities is the strong performance of its Kazakh riders at the upcoming Summer Asian Games.
“Our roster is now fully formed, and through targeted recruitment we have further strengthened and balanced the team. In the new season, XDS Astana Team is capable of achieving major accomplishments,” he said.
It was also noted that Uruguayan rider Thomas Silva will make his WorldTour debut with XDS Astana Team starting from the upcoming season.
