'We had to perform something like a miracle' - Vinokourov on Astana's mega 2025 comeback

"The 2025 season was really special for us, as it marked the 20th anniversary of the Astana project, which was founded in 2006," said Vinokourov to bicipro. "We started the year as outsiders: we were out of the WorldTour license zone. To secure a place in the top division for the next three years, we had to perform something like a miracle and, honestly, not many believed we would make it."

The team amassed 32 victories and 72 podiums throughout the year, making it one of their most successful seasons in the last decade. A significant 45 percent of their points came from WorldTour races, with ProSeries events contributing another 29 percent.

Vinokourov credits the team's strategic approach to their unexpected success. "We set ourselves the goals, we calculated the races," he explained. "The goal was, of course, to earn points. Sometimes even more than chasing victories. We knew we needed points, and we fought for every single point."

The team manager identified Italian rider Christian Scaroni as the season's standout performer. "Probably above all, Christian Scaroni, who surprised us and made a big leap forward. He began to believe in himself," said Vinokourov. Scaroni claimed four victories in 2025, including a stage at the Giro d'Italia where he crossed the line arm-in-arm with his teammate Lorenzo Fortunato

Despite some setbacks, including early-season crashes for Sergio Higuita and form issues for Alberto Bettiol, the team maintained its focus on the primary goal. By March, they had already built a cushion of 2,000-3,000 points over Cofidis, the team at the bottom of the WorldTour rankings.

The partnership with title sponsor XDS proved crucial to their success. "XDS joined our project at a very sensitive time, providing the team with not only incredibly fast and high-quality bikes, but also tremendous support," Vinokourov acknowledged.

Looking ahead to 2026, Vinokourov aims to maintain the team's position among cycling's elite while returning to a more traditional racing approach. "Of course, we want victories. This year, despite everything, we have obtained 32. I think it's a very respectable result, especially compared to past years."

At their recent training camp in Montecatini, Vinokourov expressed pride in his team's achievement. "We beat big teams with budgets twice as big as ours. We have shown that we can do it. And now we know what we can do. I am proud of all of them."