Astana has acquired Eritrean rider Melhawi Kudus for another two years, and the 25-year-old climber will join the Kazakhstan World Tour at least until the end of 2021.

Kudus joins Astana this season after five years with Dimension Data. In his last year with the African team he won the Eritrean road race championships, and this season with his new team he took two stage and overall wins at the Tour de Rwanda, and third overall at the Tour of Turkey.

"I've had a really good season with Astana," he said. I am very happy to continue with this team for two more years."

"Astana is a very good team and we are bonded like a family. My main goal for next season is to be selected for the Tour de France and compete for a stage win there. That is my dream."

"We knew Melhawy's climbing skills and invited him to join the team, and in the first half of the season he proved it 100%," said Astana general manager Alexandre Vinokurov. Kudus is still learning some things and gaining new experience, but we are pleased with his progress over the past year."

"He has impressed us with his personal results, but also with his ability to help team leaders.