Astana Pro Team and Lieuwe Westra have announced a mutual contract agreement to remain together through the 2017 season.

"I am very happy to sign a 2-year contract extension here before the Tour de France start in Utrecht. The reason I came to Astana in the first place was to help Vincenzo in the Tour, and last year we did that.

"The next two years of my career will be important steps for me, and it makes me very happy to stay with Astana and see the future,"

Lieuwe Westra.

Astana Pro Team General Manager Alexandr Vinokurov explained Westra's new contract.

"Lieuwe took two World Tour victories in his first season with us, and was the key rider at the Tour de France last year on the cobbles in the rain. We are a strong team and with Lieuwe we are even stronger for the next two years.

"Astana Pro Team has confidence in Westra for the Tour de France in 2015 and we are happy to sign a contract with him to stay in the team for two more years."