Kazahkstan commits to backing Team Astana

23 November 2009 | By Adam Fraser

Contract summary

Length of contract: 1 year
Annualised value: 1 year
Overall value: US$22 million

Kazakhstan's government has committed US$22 million to the Astana cycling team, which counts Tour de France champion Alberto Contador amongst its riders.

The International Cycling Union had demanded the backing after a string of delays in paying rider salaries. Kazakh Cycling Federation deputy president Nikolai Proskurin announced the commitment, as well as revealing that Astana are in talks with an Italian company over an additional sponsorship deal.

Meanwhile, Kairat Kelimbetov, chairman of the Samruk-Kazyna state holding fund, has been appointed head of the country's cycling federation.

The team formerly had multiple Tour de France champion Lance Armstong on its books, before Armstrong left to found his own team.

Got an opinion on this story? Send your thoughts to comment@sportspromedia.com.