The Astana team officially became known as Astana Premiere Tech when a Canadian company stepped forward as title sponsor to bolster the Kazakhstan team's finances for 2021.

The Astana Pro team has always received financial support from Kazakhstani companies (often connected to the government) as part of its national branding. In recent years, however, that funding has decreased significantly, forcing the team to seek a new title sponsor. Premier Tech has sponsored the team's jerseys since 2017 and is now stepping up to cover a larger percentage of the World Tour team's budget.

Premier Tech operates in four core industries: solutions for professional growers and gardeners, packaging, water recycling, and digital solutions for manufacturing. it has factories in 27 countries and recently acquired another company in France to increase its presence in Europe The company is increasing its presence in Europe with the recent acquisition of another company in France.

A statement from the Astana team reads: "Premier Tech is looking to connect its global network of partners and customers through co-sponsorship and partnership with Kazakhstan.

Astana-Premier Tech, with Jakob Fuglsang as team leader, and talented young Russian climber Alexander Vlasov, who has also signed a contract for 2021, are expected to remain despite interest from Ineos Grenadiers. Canada's Hugo Yule is under contract for 2021.

Longtime sport director Giuseppe Martinelli told Bici.Pro (opens in new tab) that Astana-Premier Tech is unlikely to sign former team leader Fabio Aru, instead focusing on younger riders. This includes the signing of Samuele Battistella, the under-23 world champion from NTT Pro Cycling, and fellow Italian talent Matteo Sobrero.

Ion and Gorka Izaguirre will remain with Astana, while Miguel Angel Lopez is expected to move to Movistar.

Aleksandr Vinokurov has long been the driving force of the team, managing the Kazakhstan connection, but according to reports in the Italian press, his role may be reduced in the future.Yana Seal joined Astana at the beginning of the 2019 season, and the team is the managing director of Luxembourg-based Abacant SA, which operates the team.

"The team's name will be changed for the upcoming year, but at the same time the team will remain under the auspices of Kazakhstan despite a significant reduction in funding from the general partner of Samruk Kazyna JSC," Seal said in a statement announcing Premier Tech's addition.

"Through the entry of a second partner, a co-sponsor, who can share the financial burden with our country by the management of the cycling team's general partner Samruk-Kazyna JSC and the Astana Presidential Professional Club, We were given the task of reducing the funding of a professional cycling team from Kazakhstan. This task was successful and mutual understanding was reached in a short period of time.

"We are very satisfied with the outcome of the negotiations with the Canadian side. We will continue to celebrate not only the name of Kazakhstan, but also the name of our new Canadian partner, Premier Tech, on the world sporting stage."

Discussions are also underway to create two youth teams in Canada and Kazakhstan.

"For Premier Tech, this announcement is the culmination of a partnership that began in 2017 and was fueled by a long-standing passion for cycling," said Jean Bélanger, President and CEO of Premier Tech.

." The Astana and Premier Tech teams perfectly represent the essence of our company and the spirit that drives this partnership: to constantly push the envelope to redefine standards and reach new heights, while surrounding ourselves with motivated and talented people to succeed."