Today the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) License Commission released the list of teams that have been given “wild card” status for 2010. Only UCI Professional Continental teams can earn “wild card” status, which gives the team the right to be invited to races on the UCI ProTour calendar.
The UCI states that a team will only be granted “wild card” status if they meet strict quality guidelines that focus on the sporting, legal, administrative and ethical criteria. The “wild card” system was introduced to fulfil demands by organisers, teams and riders, who have expressed their desire, together with the UCI, for all participants in races on the UCI ProTour calendar to meet the same requirements, in particular with regards to ethics.
This brings the number of UCI Professional Continental Teams with “wild card” status to 17. BMC Racing Team (USA), having been invited to the Tour Down Under, was awarded “wild card” status early.
The Licence Commission today granted “wild card” labels to the following 16 UCI Professional Continental Teams, for a period of one year:
Acqua & Sapone (ITA)
Andalucia Cajasur (ESP)
Androni Giocattoli (VEN)
Bbox Bouygues Telecom (FRA)
Carmiooro-NGC (GBR)
Ceramica Flaminia (IRL)
Cervélo Test Team (SUI)
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne (FRA)
Colnago – CSF Inox (IRL)
ISD-Neri (ITA)
Landbouwkrediet (BEL)
Saur-Sojasun (FRA)
Skil-Shimano (NED)
Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator (BEL)
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team (NED)
Xacobeo Galicia Team (ESP)