Nine of the WorldTour teams for 2014 were announced by the UCI last night, with Katusha – who controversially missed selection last year before being reinstated – among them.
The Russian team, who boast world number one rider, Joaquim Rodriguez, among its rider roster, were only added to last year’s list after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
However, along with Ag2r-La Mondiale, Belkin Pro Cycling, BMC Racing, Cannondale, FDJ, Garmin-Sharp, Omega Pharma-Quickstep and Team Saxo Bank, they have received a license for 2014.
A statement by the UCI announced all nine had been found to meet the ‘sporting, ethical, financial and administrative criteria’ required to compete at professional cycling’s highest level next year.
Britain’s Team Sky, Movistar – the world number one team this season – Astana, Lampre-Merida and Orica-GreenEDGE are all still to be called before the License Commission to discuss their license renewal.
French team Europcar – bidding to join the WorldTour list for the first time – are also still be called, while Trek Factory Racing, who hope to takeover RadioShack-Leopard’s license, must also appear before the Commission in line with UCI rules.
Lotto-Belisol and Argos-Shimano will also appear before the Commission after ‘certain irregularities’ were found in their respective files – with Pro Continental applicants Bretagne Seche Environnement called for the same reason.
Among the teams granted a Pro Continental license were Grand Tour regulars Cofidis and Colombia, South African outfit MTN-Qhubeka, who won this year’s Milan-San Remo thanks to Gerald Ciolek, and UnitedHealthCare.
The UCI statement confirmed the next announcement on licenses will be made on November 25, with all first and second division licenses finalised by December 10.
2014 UCI WorldTour teams
Ag2r-La Mondiale (FRA)
Belkin Pro Cycling (NED)
BMC Racing (USA)
Cannondale (ITA)
FDJ.fr (FRA)
Garmin-Sharp (USA)
Katusha (RUS)
Omega Pharma-Quickstep (BEL)
Team Saxo Bank (DEN)
2014 UCI Professional Continental Teams
Androni Giocattoli (ITA)
Bardiani-CSF (ITA)
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA (ESP)
CCC Polsat Polkowice (POL)
Cofidis (FRA)
Colombia (COL)
Drapac Professional Cycling (AUS)
IAM Cycling (SUI)
MTN-Qhubeka (RSA)
Rusvelo (RUS)
Team NetApp-Endura (GER)
Team Novo Nordisk (USA)
Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise (BEL)
UnitedHealthCare (USA)
Wanty-Groupe Gobert (BEL)
Yellow Fluo (ITA)
