Yuriy Natarov and Yevgeniy Gidich, two Kazakh riders, have agreed to renew their contracts with Astana Qazaqstan Team for the next two seasons of 2022 and 2023.
In 2019, Natarov joined Astana and secured his first professional victory by winning the General Classification of the Tour of Almaty. In 2021, he finished his first Grand Tour and also won a bronze medal in the individual time trial of the Kazakhstan National Championships. Natarov expressed his enthusiasm for the new contract, saying, “The new contract with the team gives me great motivation and a desire for further growth and progress. Participation in the Vuelta a España inspired me, so I am sure that in the next two seasons in Astana Qazaqstan Team I will be able to make a serious step ahead.”
Gidich, who joined the team in 2018, has also achieved notable results during his time with Astana. He finished third in the General Classification of Tour of Croatia in 2018, won a stage in the following year, and won the road race of the Asian Road Championships-2019. Gidich expressed his determination to continue improving in the upcoming season, saying, “This year I have become stronger and more experienced, so I am optimistic about the new season in Astana Qazaqstan Team. I am determined to do everything possible to reach the level that will allow me to take an important step forward in my career.”
Alexandr Vinokurov, the General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team, commented on the contract extensions, stating, “In these past years in the WorldTour, the riders gained good experience and learned a lot. Not everything always went smoothly and the situation with the pandemic also intervened, but we still recognize the progress of both Yuriy and Yevgeniy. Both riders have reached the age when experience and solid work should turn into a result. We hope that a new two-year contract will give them the chance to move ahead. I am happy that the guys remain in the team, where they will have all the conditions to achieve success, both for the team and personally.”
The photo credit for the article goes to @Gettysport.
