Velonews is citing AFP that Unibet will be at the start of Milan - San Remo. An official release is expected this afternoon

more on the flip

Now I've not much of an advocate for Unibet this spring. I don't believe their PT license is worth more than the paper it is printed on and anything bad that has happened to them so far can be seen as karmic revenge for the absolutely shameful way they treated Quesada.

On the other hand, they rode the hell out of the semi-classics so far this spring, and I've got to admire a roster that is built around the flat norther races. Baden Cooke has never been a favorite of mine, but he's redeemed himself a bit by changing from a fragile and whiny sprinter into a serious hardman who has earned more respect for his results on the cobbles than he lost by flapping his gums. They have a nice roster of flahutes.

So I think this is a positive step, showing that the race organizers aren't peevish and want the best teams at their races, unless forced into extreme positions by the intractible UCI. Cooke shall have his chances on the Via Roma, and I think that is a good thing.

Now, I'm not ready to say they belong in the Giro, but at least they are being considered on merit, not as pawns in the UCI vs. race owners struggle.