The Spanish cyclist Alberto Contador will be Astana's leader in next month's Tour de France and will have seven-times champion Lance Armstrong among his helpers.
Contador, winner of the Tour in 2007, will also be assisted by American Levi Leipheimer and German Andreas Kloeden, who both have podium finishes to their names in the world's greatest cycling race.
Team manager Johan Bruyneel says after winning the Tour in 2007 and then becoming the fifth cyclist to win all three Grand Tours, it's hard to find a better stage race rider than Alberto, and so he has earned the right to be their team leader.
The Tour de France starts on July 4th in Monaco with a 15.5-km time trial which appears tailor-made for Contador with a 7.5-km ascent in the first part.
American Armstrong, in his comeback season after three years and an half in retirement, will be one of Contador's eight aides on the French roads.
37-year-old Armstrong broke his collarbone in March but took part in the Giro, which he finished in 12th place overall, almost 16 minutes behind winner Denis Menchov of Russia.
