Westra, Pellizotti new signings for Astana

Dutchman Lieuwe Westra and Italian Franco Pellizotti have been presented as new signings of the Astana Pro Cycling Team.

Westra, the 2013 national time trial champion of the Netherlands, will join Astana for the 2014 and 2015 seasons. He spent the last five seasons at Dutch cycling team Vacansoleil-DCM, reports Xinhua.

"There was a lot of interest from other teams, but Astana immediately filed a concrete offer," Westra stated on his own website Thursday.

"The offer expressed appreciation for my performances in recent years. I think it's a very nice team with excellent equipment and good riders."

"Lieuwe is a very strong time trialist and climber, and joins Astana as a rider who could help Vincenzo Nibali next year at the Tour de France," said Astana Pro Team General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov.

The 30-year-old Westra won a stage at the Tour of California this year. Last year he won the Tour of Denmark and a stage in Paris-Nice.

The 35-year-old Italian rider Pellizotti joined Astana Pro Team in a one-year contract. He had returned from a two-year doping suspension in May 2012.

"Franco is a veteran rider with more than 10 years of experience as a professional, and we are very happy to welcome him back among his friends and family," Vinokurov said.

"He rode at Liquigas-Cannondale with Vincenzo and they know each other well. He will be a valuable asset in our preparations for the Tour de France next year."

In addition to the two new signings, Astana Pro Team announces contract extensions with current riders Dmitriy Muravyev, Borut Bozic, Francesco Gavazzi and Paolo Tiralongo.