Team reaffirms intention to push for WorldTour licence registration
Uncertainty about whether the Katusha team would be able to race this season has been assuaged with the news that the team has been given a Pro Continental licence by the UCI.
The Russian squad had its application for WorldTour registration turned down on December 10th, with ethical reasons subsequently reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport as being the reason for the refusal.
The team has appealed that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but with that court ruling out a quick decision on the matter, the team’s ability to race this month hinge on its application for a Pro Continental licence.
Katusha has confirmed that the UCI granted the latter licence yesterday, and consequently it is in a position to begin competing. Had it been turned down for a Pro Continental team place, the team would have risked extinction.
The team is scheduled to take part in the Tour de San Luis in Argentina, with world number one Joaquim Rodriguez expected to travel there with the squad prior to Sunday’s start. It will miss the Santos Tour Down Under as it lacks the WorldTour licence necessary to take part.
The team has made clear that it is still gunning to regain its place in the top category of the sport. “Having received the second division license Katusha Team is still waiting for the final decision of CAS in order to obtain the UCI World Tour license in 2013.”
CAS told VeloNation last week that a date will be set soon for that hearing.