Scott to back Pegasus, application pending
Chris White, CEO of the new Pegasus Racing team, has confirmed the backing of Scott Bicycles.
The Australian team, built on the foundations of Fly V Australia, has not officially confirmed its funding. The announcement of a title sponsor, expected last week, has been delayed in the wake of a number of doping controversies
that have recently come to light, including triple Tour de France winner Alberto Contador’s positive test for the banned substance Clenbuterol.
Scott is the first major company to announce their financial support for at least two years.
“This is a true partnership and we are very much looking forward to getting started,” said White. “We are both performance-driven organizations who see technology and innovation as the means to drive improvement and results. Sharing
this philosophy made it easy for Pegasus and Scott to come together, and we are both excited at the prospect of what our working together will achieve.”
The applications required a breakdown of the team’s financing, as well as proof of the signing of several riders. Pegasus has signed cycling veteran Robbie McEwen, longtime friend of Chris White, a former cyclist himself. White explained
that the classics squad is stacked, but he still has four spots to fill on the team, including one intended for a general classification contender.
"There are a lot of riders on the market at the moment and we're talking to some who are available and looking at the options."
ProTour license applications were due on October 1, but the list of the 20 applying teams released by the UCI on Tuesday was missing the Pegasus Racing team. White confirmed that they have already fulfilled all the requirements for
the application and that their absence on the list was a technical glitch.
"I'm still in the dark about it,” said White. “We submitted all details to the UCI - the requisite bank guarantees, business plans and rider roster - and I found out in the middle of the night that something had gone wrong … We immediately
sought to clarify with the UCI and the process towards resolution is underway."
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