2014: a demonstration by Nibali

The capital of Kazakhstan gave its name to a team that was wracked with problems during the first ten years of its existence, but also rich in success and thrills. Whilst it tasted triumph in an especially tense context with Alberto Contador in 2009, the title conquered by Vincenzo Nibali was obtained in a much more serene atmosphere, encouraging the sort of showmanship for which the Italian is well known. Indeed, the demonstration started far from the mountains: it was in Sheffield on the finish of the 2nd stage, that the Shark of Messina gave his rivals a bite that would go on to prove fatal. At the summit of the slope where the finishing line was located, the gap over Froome, Contador or Van Garderen was hardly impressive, all finishing 2 seconds behind. However, the authority with which he sprung ahead was eloquent in the extreme: the cornerstones of his success were laid. Three weeks later, Nibali only spent one day not wearing the Yellow Jersey, when it was briefly on Tony Gallopin's shoulders. With his victory on the Tour de France, he became the 6th rider in the history of cycling to win all three grand tours.

Astana riders to watch out for on Le Tour 2017: Fabio Aru (Ita), Jakob Fuglsang (Den)