The process for UCI licensing drags on.... Today's release names eight teams to the World Tour:
- Astana Pro Team (KAZ)
- BMC Racing Team (USA)
- Cannondale (ITA)
- Lampre – Merida (ITA)
- Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team (BEL)
- ORICA GreenEdge (AUS)
- Sky ProCycling (GBR)
- Vacansoleil DCM Pro Cycling Team (NED)
These are teams whose licenses were not up for renewal, but nonetheless had to meet the various criteria (sporting, ethical, financial). Next up are the 2012 World Tour teams who needed to renew their licenses: AG2R La Mondiale, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Garmin Sharp, Former Rabobank and Team Saxo-Tinkoff. The UCI also list Argos-Shimano, FDJ and Lotto-Belisol as teams in the next cut of sporting value. Seems like they'll all get in.
Then there's Katusha, Radio Shack, and Movistar. The UCI says they will have a hearing in accordance with regulation 2.15.071. Here's what that regulation says:
If the UCI administration decides that it is unable to register the UCI ProTeam, it will notify the licence holder and the paying agent. Unless the holder renounces the licence, the UCI administration will refer the case to the licence commission:
1. The licence commission summons the UCI ProTeam to a hearing with a minimum of 10 days' notice, unless otherwise agreed with the UCI ProTeam;
2. The applicant must lodge any documents in support of his registration application to the commission in three copies, with one copy to the UCI, at least 5 days before the date of the hearing. Documents lodged after this deadline shall be automatically disregarded;
3. At least 5 days before the date of hearing, the UCI ProTeam shall notify the licence commission and the UCI of the identity of those persons who will represent him or attend the hearing. The licence commission may refuse to hear any persons not notified within this time;
4. The UCI may participate in the hearing. The auditor appointed by the UCI may be heard at the request of the UCI ProTeam, the UCI or the licence commission;
5. The licence commission shall apply the assessment criteria set out in article 2.15.011a ff.
Should the licence commission refuse the registration, the UCI ProTeam's licence is automatically withdrawn. The decision is subject to appeal to the CAS. Furthermore, the licence commission will pass on the application documentation to the UCI administration so that the latter can assess the possibility of registering the team as a professional continental team. The UCI ProTeam shall be represented before the licence commission by the licence holder or, with the agreement of the latter, by the paying agent.
Huh. In other words, these teams get to plead their case. My guess is that R-N-T and Katusha have some splaining to do on doping issues. Movistar, I may be missing something, but I'll go with financial assurances as the holdup. Anyone know more here?
Finally, here are your Pro-Cont (a/k/a Second Division) teams:
- Accent Jobs – Wanty (BEL)
- Androni Giocattoli (ITA)
- Caja Rural (ESP)
- CCC Polsat Polkowice (POL)
- Cofidis, Solutions Crédits (FRA)
- IAM Cycling (SUI)
- Landbouwkrediet – Euphony (BEL)
- Sojasun (FRA)
- Team Europcar (FRA)
- Team Netapp – Endura (GER)
- Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise (BEL)
- UnitedHealthCare Professional Cycling Team (USA)
- Vini Fantini (ITA)