After previous signings of Rein Taaramae, Diego Rosa, Luis Leon Sanchez, Diego Rosa, Davide Malacarne and Miguel Angel Lopez, Astana have significantly bolstered their stage racing roster. Today the team has added another important rider to the list by signing Dario Cataldo as a key domestique for Fabio Aru and Vincenzo Nibali.

Astana Pro Team has signed Dario Cataldo to a one-year contract for the 2015 season. Cataldo, from Italy, is an eight-year World Tour veteran rider and was the National Time Trial champion in 2012.

With an individual stage win at the Vuelta a España in 2012 and a Team Time Trial stage win at the 2013 Giro d’Italia, Cataldo, who comes from Chieti in Abruzzo, brings experience, strength and wisdom to Astana in 2015.

Astana Pro Team General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov praised the 29-year old Cataldo, who also won the 2006 Girobio before turning professional.

“He will be a great gregario for Aru as well as Nibali, and plus on top of that he knows the ins and outs of doing a good TTT. Make no mistake, Dario Cataldo is a very important addition for the team."