Czech rider Roman Kreuziger has signed a two-year contract with Astana, according to a statement from the Kazakh team. The 24-year-old becomes the first big name rider to sign for Astana as it restructures after the departure of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and his Spanish domestiques.
"I am pleased that the team has reached an agreement with Roman Kreuziger,” said team captain and figurehead Alexandre Vinokourov. “We are currently finalising contracts to submit a new roster for next season very soon, that will represent with power and pride the colours of Kazakhstan."
Kreuziger first came to international prominence when he won the World Junior Championships road race in 2004, beating future Lampre-Farnese Vini rider Simon Spilak on the way.
He has ridden his entire professional career to date for Liquigas-Doimo, since signing for the Italian team in 2006. Career highlights to date include victory in the 2008 Tour de Suisse and the 2009 Tour de Romandie, as well as a number of podium places and young riders jerseys.
His biggest results of 2010 so far have been victory in the Giro di Sardegna, third place in Paris-Nice and repeated last year’s ninth place in the Tour de France.
While being the biggest name to sign for Astana so far other names are expected, with the team in negotiations with riders such as Tour third place Denis Menchov. Kreuziger also joins current Liquigas-Doimo teammate Robert Kiserlowski, who signed with the Kazakh team last month.