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Astana Cycling Team took the complete podium of the national championships time trial (June 26th). The gold medal was won by Andrey Mizurov in his hometown of Karaganda. Team Astana’s neo-pros, Andrey Zeits (21) and Roman Kireyev (21) completed the podium. Zeits was only 4 seconds behind Mizurov and Kireyev, the 2006 U23-champion, 30 seconds down. Last year’s winner Alexandr Dyachenko finished fifth.

Time trial specialist Andrey Mizurov captured his seventh medal and second gold (2002) in the event. The former Asian time trial champion finished 8th in last year’s world championships. In addition, he has two national road championships on his palmares and was overall winner of the UCI Asia Tour in 2005.

“This victory is extra special since it was held in my birth place Karaganda. It’s a tremendous honor to wear the national jersey of my country, Kazakhstan, which has given so much to the sport of cycling and our nation. Zeits and Kireyev are testaments to this; the future of cycling in Kazakhstan is very bright,” commented the new champion.

Besides today’s strong performance, Mizurov was instrumental in Alberto Contador’s 2008 Giro d’Italia victory.

The Kazakh Road Championship will be held on Sunday, June 29th, in Karaganda. Alexandr Shefer will direct a strongly motivated Astana Cycling Team. Team Manager Johan Bruyneel and Team Director Alain Gallopin are expected to be in attendance to support their eight riders.

Result National Championship Kazakhstan Time Trial (Karaganda, 40 K)

1. Andrey Mizurov (AST) 50.54; 2. Andrey Zeits (AST) 0.04; 3. Roman Kireyev (AST) 0.30; 4. Assan Bazayev (AST); 5. Alexandr Dyachenko (ULAN); 6. Valeriy Dmitriyev (ULAN)