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Lance Armstrong, Jose Luis Rubiera highlight Astana’s team for next month’s race

by VeloNews.com

• December 19, 2008
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By Agence France Presse

Armstrong and Rubiera, here training last month in Spain, will team up Down Under

Photo: Graham Watson

Besides Lance Armstrong, Astana’s team roster for next month’s Tour Down Under in Australia includes three riders from the 2008 Giro d’Italia, organizers said Friday.

Also riding for Astana as Armstrong makes his return to professional cycling is Jose Luis Ruberia who rode in five of the Texan’s Tour de France-winning teams.

“We all know that Lance Armstrong is a champion, but the rest of his Astana teammates heading Down Under should not be underestimated,” race director Mike Turtur said.

Giro winner Alberto Contador will not be taking part in Tour Down Under.

“With experienced grand tour riders like Bazayev, Morabito, Iglinskiy and Ruberia, I predict fierce competition from Astana from day one,” Turtur said.

The full rider roster for Astana for the Tour Down Under is Lance Armstrong, Assan Bazayev, Jesus Hernandez, Michael Schar, Maxim Iglinskiy, Steve Morabito and Jose Luis Rubiera.

The Tour Down Under, raced around Adelaide’s environs, runs from January 18-25.