Italian carousel at Astana continues: Masnada joins team after troubled period with Soudal Quick-Step
Cycling
Fausto Masnada is leaving Soudal Quick-Step for Astana Qazaqstan. The Kazakh team announced this through a post on the team website. Masnada rode with the Belgian formation for the past five seasons but had not achieved many results, which earned him a recent remark from Patrick Lefevere. Consequently, the Italian's departure is more than logical.
Masnada came over in 2020 from the small Androni Giocattoli team, for which he excelled in the 2019 Giro with a nice stage win. After that, the Italian achieved another place in the top ten of the Italian race in 2020 and finished second in the Tour of Lombardy in 2021. However, the rewards were at an all-time low in the last three seasons. In 2024, for example, Masnada did not even compete in a grand tour.
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Masnada hopes for fresh start: "A chance to prove myself after difficult seasons"
Masnada reacted with hope to his announcement at the team of Wout Poels and Mike Teunissen, among others. "If someone had told me just a few weeks ago that I'd be joining the Astana Qazaqstan Team next year, I probably wouldn't have believed it. I'm thrilled to have this opportunity and excited to be part of such a respected team. After two difficult seasons, this is the perfect chance to reset and aim for new goals. The project the team is building for 2025 is incredibly inspiring, and I can't wait to contribute to its success. I'm grateful to the managers and everyone involved in making this contract happen and for the trust they've placed in me. I can't wait to wear the new jersey and represent the team."
Team boss Alexandre Vinokourov is also pleased with the transfer. "We are happy to welcome Fausto Masnada to Astana Qazaqstan Team. Fausto is an experienced rider who has shown excellent results in stage races, mountain stages, and one-day classics. I'm confident that his potential is far from exhausted. He has faced some challenges in recent seasons, but I believe that within our team, he will be able to unlock his full potential and return to a high level. His determination, work ethic, and ability to perform on difficult courses perfectly align with the goals we are pursuing."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024