Race organisers also trying to sort out additional costs and accommodation for extra team
The headache caused by the UCI Licence Commission’s initial refusal of a WorldTour place for the Katusha team and then the overruling of that decision by the Court of Arbitration continues to rumble on, with the Giro d’Italia organisers still waiting for a solution to the issues that has thrown up.
According to RCS director Michele Acquarone, the team has still not been given an official invitation. The reason for this is mostly because the UCI is yet to give a green light to having an extra team in the race; Katusha’s awarding of a nineteenth WorldTour licence came after the wildcards had been allocated for the event, and the CAS ruling essentially imposed an extra team on the Giro.
“We can confirm that the UCI has not formally consented to 207 riders to start,” said Acquarone to Wielerrevue, although he believes that this should change. “We trust that this will come soon.”
However the Russian team isn’t panicking. “Although we have not yet received an invitation, it is clear to us that we will start,” stated Katusha.
There is a precedent for 207 riders in the race; two years ago, the Giro d’Italia got dispensation to allow that number start the 2011 edition.
However the UCI’s green light is not the only issue facing RCS Sport. Because it expected 198 rather than 207 riders, and 22 rather than 23 teams, the logistics and arrangements which were in place before the CAS ruling have been complicated by that decision.
Acquarone states that the race now has to find accommodation and other aspects for the extra team. There is a question about who should pay the additional cost, although he states that this is not the main stumbling block.
However he believes that it should be possible to work things out. “We have a good relationship with UCI President Pat McQuaid and we help him gladly. That is logical. We are flexible and will find a solution. It is only a little bit more difficult.”