Could team lose its ProTeam licence?
With the decision on the Alberto Contador case imminent, speculation is growing that in the case of a suspension for the Spanish rider, that the Saxo Bank-SunGard team could lose a chunk of its world ranking points and – possibly – even come under pressure as regards its ProTeam licence.
Last autumn, the squad was ranked tenth in the UCI’s hierarchy of teams. This calculation was carried out based on the points of a certain number of riders. Those teams in the top 15 were deemed eligible for ProTeam status. Three more out of places 16 to 20 were also selected.
According to El Diariomontanes.es, Contador accounts for approximately 60 percent of Saxo Bank-SunGard’s points total, and is therefore a major factor in its position in the hierarchy of teams. The paper speculates that losing those points could ‘endanger the permanence of his team, Saxo Bank SunGard, at the top category of the international peloton.’
Because the hierarchy of teams calculation has not been announced, it’s very difficult to work out where the team would end up if he was suspended and the points stripped from its total. UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani has however confirmed to VeloNation that it is possible that the team’s position could be examined.
“I can confirm in case of suspension of Alberto Contador, the Licences Commission could review the position of the team, according to UCI rules,” he said.
This appears at variance with Pat McQuaid’s recent comments that even if he was sanctioned, that the team would not lose any points.
Contador tested positive during the 2010 Tour de France. He claims that the Clenbuterol in his system must have come from contaminated meat, and is arguing that he should not be suspended at all as a result. Unconfirmed Spanish media reports suggested several days ago that part of the Spanish Cycling Federation’s Competition Committee has considered clearing him outright.
He is Saxo Bank SunGard’s star rider. The team also includes other promising competitors such as Chris Anker Sorensen and Richie Porte, and these will be hoping that there is no threat to its standing within the ranks of the UCI ProTeams.