Italian carousel at Astana continues: Masnada joins team after troubled period with Soudal Quick-Step

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 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."