With the Vuelta a España start now just a week and a half away, the participation of Andrey Kashechkin in the event is close to being verified. The rider has already negotiated a mid-season transfer from Lampre to Astana and been confirmed by the latter for its Vuelta squad, but the paperwork relating to that needs to be finalised.
UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani confirmed earlier today that the process looks likely to be completed. “The situation is the following: the rider is provisionally registered among the participants in the Vuelta, but we are still waiting for a last document,” he told VeloNation. “That’s the three party agreement between the rider, Lampre and Astana, which is needed when you move from one team to another.
“Once Ernst & Young [UCI auditors] get it, his participation will be confirmed.”
Kashechkin returned from a two year suspension and signed a contract with Lampre-ISD. He finished 17th in last year’s Vuelta, and has said he believes a top five finish is possible this season. That remains to be seen; he has taken no top ten results in races since returning to the sport.
Kashechkin will work with former top sprinter Djamolidine Abdoujaparov in the buildup to the race. Abdoujaparov has been signed up by the Astana team as an advisor.