The Italian, who was credited with the 2011 Giro D'Italia following the disqualification of Alberto Contador, has signed a one year deal with the Kzakhstan based team and will lead them at the 2014 Giro D'Italia which starts in Belfast on May 9th and the 2014 Tour De France which starts in Leeds on July 5th.
Speaking about Scarponi's move from Lampre-Merida, Alexandr Vinokurov, Astana's General Manager said in a press statement: "Michele is a Giro leader, and he can be our Captain for Astana Pro Team in May. Our young Fabio Aru will ride with him, as will Alexey Lutsenko, and we see an environment where these very talented young riders will learn race leadership skills and strategies alongside Scarponi as he rides for a podium at the Giro d'Italia next year.
"Our main goal next year is to build up a team that can come together around the massively complicated and extraordinarily difficult task of riding for Vincenzo Nibali and his shot at a podium, and why not, a win, at the Tour de France.
"Michele Scarponi has experience and strength that after the Giro we can go with him into the Alps and Pyrenees in July. It is worth an attempt, because the Tour is so important, and requires so much coordination and commitment. We need strong riders and we will need just as much good luck as anything else."
Source: DSG
