Team Katusha awaits the CAS decision
Team Katusha was shocked after UCI decided to refuse its World Tour request for the 2013 season and the team went to Court of Arbitration for Sport to get the issue resolved.
The Russian outfit had an outstanding season and there were no questions about its performance as the team managed to bag as many as 1273 UCI points throughout the season.
The 2012 UCI world Tour winner, Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver helped the team with a maximum contribution of 692 points while Oscar Freire (181 points), Alexandr Kolobnev (110 points), Daniel Moreno (104) and Simon Spilak (86 points) made the major contributions.
The team occupied the second overall spot after the UCI World Tour team’s rankings with Team Sky holding the first spot.
It was believed that either one of Team Saxo-Tinkoff or Team Lotto will be given the licence as Team Katusha was quite a strong candidate.
However, UCI surprised the whole cycling world by rejecting the Russian team’s request, allowing both, Team Lotto and Team Saxo-Tinkoff to continue at the top level of the sport for the new season.
UCI used the same “reasoned decision” phrase as USADA that uncovered one of the biggest drug scandal in history of the sport related to Lance Armstrong and his doping cartel.
However, Team Katusha is not satisfied by the UCI’s decision and stated that it has met all the requirements set by the cycling organising body and the explanation is not justified.
"All the positions mentioned in this document were considered during held on the 22nd of November 2012 UCI License Commission preliminary hearing,” team statement reads.
“All the information provided by Katusha by its opinion is complete and corresponds the requirements of the UCI License Commission”.
"After receiving the above-mentioned document the Russian team Katusha confirms its determination to defend its rights using all civilized ways in order to receive the World Tour license, including the already made appeal to Court of Arbitration for Sport
(CAS)".
The final list of World Tour teams for the new season is as under,
2013 WorldTour teams
Current licence holders approved on Nov. 2
Team Astana, Team BMC Racing, Team Cannondale, Team Lampre – Merida, Team Omega Pharma – Quick Step Cycling, Team ORICA GreenEDGE, Team Sky Procycling, Team Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling, Team Movistar and Team (UCI decision of Nov. 16).
Licences issued following Nov./Dec. commission meetings
Team AG2R La Mondiale (2013-2016), Team Euskaltel Euskadi (2013-2016), Team former Rabobank (2013-2014),Team Garmin Sharp (2013-2014), Team Argos–Shimano (2013-2016) and Team Saxo – Tinkoff (2013-2014).
Licences issued for 2013
Team FDJ, Team Lotto Belisol and Team RadioShack-Nissan.
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