The period of training camps is coming to a close [Thank heavens! - Ed.], but that hasn't stopped the Astana team cramming in a final few days of training on the Spanish coast.
Garmin-Barracuda, BMC, GreenEdge, RadioShack and even a solitary Nick Nuyens, have all ventured to the sleepy tourist resort.
This year's Astana team appears as a far stronger proposition to the 2011 version. Janez Brajkovic joins from Astana and will add much needed steel to the team's prospects in stage races, while Dimitry Muravyev, Borut Bozic and Kevin Seeldraeyers will add strength in depth.
Of course, the star of the Astana show remains Alexander Vinokourov. Whether it's through race performances or controversies, the veteran always attracts attention and with 2012 being his final season in the professional ranks, he'll be looking to go out with a bang before retiring at the London Olympics.
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