TEAMS

Asia’s powerhouse has returned to cycling’s world elite through a strategic transformation.
A Kazakhstan-based UCI WorldTeam, XDS Astana Team has undergone a remarkable resurgence.
Once facing the threat of relegation, the team transformed its approach to rider recruitment and race strategy, placing greater emphasis on a collective effort to accumulate UCI points.
The result has been a significant increase in victories and, as of May 12, 2026, a rise to fifth in the world rankings—an impressive turnaround for a team that was once fighting to retain its place in the WorldTour.
The team is led by Christian Scaroni, who claimed the overall title at this season’s Tour of Oman.
At the Giro d’Italia, Guillermo Silva won Stage 2 and became the first Uruguayan ever to wear the maglia rosa, drawing considerable international attention.
XDS Astana Team also has a special connection to the Tour de Kyushu, with Andrey Zeits winning the inaugural race in 2023.
The squad features current Asian champion Yevgeniy Fedorov, Henok Mulubrhan, winner of the final stage of the 2025 Mynavi Tour de Kyushu, versatile all-rounder Harold Tejada, and climber Lorenzo Fortunato, a Giro d’Italia stage winner.
With strength and depth across the roster, the team is capable of competing on every type of terrain.
【Team Introduction Contributor: Yufta Omata】