Alberto Contador will be supported by a strong squad to achieve his main goal of this season. After winning last years
Tour de France and this years Giro d'Italia, Contador wants to win the Vuelta a Espana. Two times Tour de France runner-up
(2004 and 2006)
Andreas Klöden and Levi Leipheimer will be Contador's super domestiques.
Astana's team manager Johan Bruyneel said: "Since early in the season, we identified the Vuelta a Espana as a major team
goal. We’ve had an excellent season to date and our riders are extremely motivated to end 2008 in winning fashion. I
think we’ve assembled a well-balanced team that can accomplish our final major goal of the season. We have riders for
the mountains and flat stages, as well as the experience of super champions like Alberto Contador, Andreas Klöden and Levi
Leipheimer."
"It was not an easy choice, which really shows the strength of our Team. We have a lot of talented riders on Team Astana,
but Johan and I decided that certain intangibles, such as experience, were very important. This group knows what it takes
to win the big races and I’m hopeful we can prove this in the next three weeks," Astana's sports director Alain Gallopin
said.
Contador said: "I have been focused on this race for a number of months. I’ve spent time with the Team and I feel
that we are prepared and motivated for the next three weeks. Compared to the Giro d'Italia, I am better prepared - mentally
and technically. Right now we’re not looking too far ahead, but our goal is to win another Grand Tour for Kazakhstan.
Our sponsors have supported us throughout the entire season and I can’t think of a better way to thank them."
One Astana rider which was selected for the Vuelta will say goodbye after the
2008 season. The Vuelta will be the last grand tour of José Luis 'Chechu' Rubiera. "This
will be my 20th and last Grand Tour. I am very grateful to all the riders, staff, sports directors and fans who have supported
me throughout my entire career. It is a true honor to have had the opportunity to race for Johan, Lance and now Alberto. It
has been a dream and I would love to complete my career with another Grand Tour victory," said José Luis Rubiera.
Astana for Vuelta Espana 2008:
Assan Bazayev, Alberto Contador, Andreas Klöden, Levi Leipheimer, Dmitriy Muravyev, Benjamín
Noval, Sérgio Paulinho, José Luis
Rubiera and Tomas Vaitkus.
Reserve: Daniel Navarro
