Il comunicato UCI di ieri che ha ufficializzato le licenze dei Pro Team per il 2013 presenta un’inaspettata esclusione: il team russo Katusha non ha le caratteristiche per essere registrato nella serie maggiore, il Worl Tour che da l’accesso automatico alle prove di maggior prestigio. Dovrà accontentarsi della categoria Professional.
Nessuna spiegazione per ora nè dall’UCI nè dalla Commissione Licenze che ha analizzato i dossier e emesso i verdetti. Sconcerto tra i corridori della squadra, perché il team nel 2012 si era aggiudicato, con Rodriguez, la classifica individuale e si era piazzato secondo nella classifica a squadre. L’esclusione sulla base del criterio sportivo sembra quindi da escludere.
Ecco il comunicato UCI:
As of 2nd November, the UCI had registered in the first division the teams already holding a current UCI WorldTour licence and whose applications satisfied the registration conditions set out in the UCI regulations.
The following teams were concerned:
• Astana Pro Team
• BMC Racing Team
• Cannondale
• Lampre – Merida
• Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling Team
• ORICA GreenEDGE
• Sky Procycling
• Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team
• Movistar Team (UCI decision of 16 November)
In accordance with the UCI regulations, the Licences Commission was requested by the UCI administration to adjudicate on the refusal to register as well as the issuing of the UCI WorldTour licence to applying teams.
As a result of the hearings held on 19, 21, 22, 28 November and 7 December, the Licences Commission has issued a UCI WorldTour licence to the following teams:
• AG2R La Mondiale 2013-2016
• Euskaltel Euskadi 2013-2016
• Former Rabobank 2013-2014
• Garmin Sharp 2013-2014
• Team Argos–Shimano 2013-2016
• Team Saxo – Tinkoff 2013-2014
Finally, the Licences Commission has granted registration for the 2013 season to the following teams:
• FDJ
• Lotto Belisol
• RadioShackNissan
The request from the team Katusha for registration in first division has been rejected.
In accordance with UCI regulations, this team’s application has been forwarded to the UCI administration, so that the latter may assess the possibility of registering this team as a UCI Professional Continental Team.
The full list of UCI Professional Continental Teams registered for 2013 will be announced at a later date.
UCI Communication Services