PARIS, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian cyclist Yaroslav Popovych has signed a two-year contract with the Astana team, which keeps seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong for now.

    The 28-year-old Popovych joined up once more with team boss Johan Bruyneel whom he rode for when at the Discovery Channel team from 2005 to 2007.

    Popovych, who was considered a possible Tour de France championfollowing his third place overall in 2003, will next year ride alongside, among others, American Armstrong, 2007 Tour champion Alberto Contador of Spain, American Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden of Germany.