Astana ist in der kommenden Saison mit Sram unterwegs

In what might be the biggest ‘leap’ in cycling for 2008, the newly reformed team Astana, now lead by current Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (ESP), American Champion Levi Leipheimer, and Team Director and 8x Tour de France mastermind Johan Bruyneel, will be powered by SRAM road componentry.

Team Astana will be exclusively riding and racing the World’s lightest 1928 gram SRAM RED road gruppo, just introduced this past September at Eurobike.

While RED was launched as the most ergonomically refi ned and technologically advanced road group in the world, with numerous effi ciencies and features, it was the weight story that caught Bruyneel’s attention.

“SRAM has proven itself at the highest levels of cycling, but having the lightest gruppo in the World with RED, along with all the function and features, is a real advantage. They are making serious impressions in the road market and we would not consider partnering with them if it wouldn’t benefi t this team (Astana) and put us in a position to win.” Astana General Manager Johan Bruyneel.

SRAM’s Global Marketing Director, David Zimberoff, travelled to Astana’s Team headquarters in early November to fi nalize the three year agreement.

“Johan’s proven leadership and legacy of success was the perfect opportunity for us to demonstrate the pure advantages of our road drivetrain and, most specifi cally, RED. Prior to the agreement we had Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer testride RED groupsets and they gave enthusiastic thumbs up. That is the type of verification that excites us at SRAM and we are truly looking forward to 2008,” stated David Zimberoff.