Astana Qazaqstan Team is a professional road bicycle racing team sponsored by the Samruk-Kazyna, a coalition of state-owned companies from Kazakhstan and named after its capital city Astana. Astana attained UCI ProTeam status in its inaugural year, 2007. Following a major doping scandal involving Kazakh rider Alexander Vinokourov, team management was terminated and new management brought in for the 2008 season. The team was then managed by Johan Bruyneel, former team manager of U.S. Postal/Discovery Channel team. Under Bruyneel the ethical nature of the team did not improve, although Astana in this period was very successful.
Jakob Diemer Fuglsang is a Danish professional road racing cyclist, who rides for UCI ProTeam Israel–Premier Tech. Before turning professional for Team Saxo Bank, he was a mountain biker racing for Team Cannondale–Vredestein, winning the Under-23 World Cup and Under-23 World Championships.
Gorka Izagirre Insausti is a Spanish professional cyclist, who rides for UCI WorldTeam Cofidis. He is the brother of fellow racing cyclist Ion Izagirre.
Hugo Houle is a Canadian professional cyclist, who rides for UCI ProTeam Israel–Premier Tech.
The 2014 season for the Astana cycling team began in January with the Tour Down Under. As a UCI ProTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
This season was sponsored by the Samruk-Kazyna group as well as Air Astana, Astana Motors and Expo 2017.
The 2014 season for the Ag2r–La Mondiale cycling team began in January at the Tour de San Luis. As a UCI ProTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
The 2014 Post Danmark Rundt was a men's road bicycle race held from 6 August to 10 August 2014. It was the 24th edition of the men's stage race, which was established in 1985. The race was rated as a 2.HC event and formed part of the 2014 UCI Europe Tour. The race was made up of six stages over five days and covered a total of 815 kilometres (506 mi), including an individual time trial. It featured 14 teams, including three UCI ProTeams.
Astana City was a professional road bicycle racing team sponsored by the Samruk-Kazyna, a coalition of state-owned companies from Kazakhstan and named after its capital city Astana. Astana City acted as a junior feeder team to Astana Qazaqstan Team, alongside Vino 4ever SKO. The team disbanded at the end of the 2019 season.
The 2015 season for the Astana cycling team began in January with the Tour Down Under. As a UCI WorldTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
The 2015 season for the Caja Rural–Seguros RGA cycling team began in January at the Trofeo Santanyi–Ses Salines–Campos. The team participated in UCI Europe Tour races and UCI World Tour events when given a wildcard invitation.
The 2016 season for the Astana cycling team began in January with the Tour Down Under. As a UCI WorldTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
The 2017 Bahrain–Merida Pro Cycling season was the first season of the Bahrain–Merida team, which was founded in 2016. As a UCI WorldTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour, and their season began in January with the Tour Down Under.
The 2017 season for Movistar Team began in January at the Tour Down Under. As a UCI WorldTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
The 2018 season for the Astana cycling team began in January with the Tour Down Under. As a UCI WorldTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
The 2018 season for the Team Dimension Data cycling team began in January at the Tour Down Under. As a UCI WorldTeam, they were automatically invited and obligated to send a squad to every event in the UCI World Tour.
The 2019 Bahrain–Merida Pro Cycling season was the third season of the Bahrain–Merida team, which was founded in 2016.
The 2020 season for the Astana cycling team began in January at the Tour Down Under.
The 2021 season for the Astana–Premier Tech cycling team was its 15th season, all of which have been as a UCI WorldTeam. For the first season in its existence, however, the team had two title sponsors, as Canadian tech company Premier Tech joins longtime Kazakh sponsor Samruk-Kazyna.
The 2022 season for the Astana Qazaqstan Team is its 16th season, all of which have been as a UCI WorldTeam. The team returned to a name that represents the country of Kazakhstan after the team had two main sponsors in 2021. Canadian tech company Premier Tech exited after one year amidst disagreements and subsequently sponsored Israel–Premier Tech, the team formerly known as Israel Start-Up Nation. They use Wilier bicycles, Shimano drivetrain, Corima wheels and Giordana clothing.
