Team Katusha takes World Tour exclusion case to Court of Arbitration for Sport
Despite finishing second at the UCI World Tour teams rankings in the 2012 season, Team Katusha was denied a World Tour licence for the 2013 season by UCI without ample information provided to the team.
The team was really confused by the decision but failed to receive a convincing answer from the sports organising body, which is the main reason why it has knocked the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s door to get justice.
It was confirmed by the side itself in a statement that “applying to the CAS became a direct consequence of the policy of isolation, pursued by the UCI License Commission, and was made in strict accordance with all law regulations”.
The team managed to secure 1273 UCI points with Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver adding the maximum number of 692 UCI points.
Rodriguez himself won the UCI World Tour Elite Men rankings after his several top performances throughout the season.
Oscar Friere (181 UCI points), Alexandr Kolobnev (110 UCI points), Daniel Moreno (104 UCI points) and Simon Spalk (86 UCI points) also helped the team with the much needed UCI points during the season.
"At present moment, Katusha Team has no information regarding the reasons for the decision of the UCI to reject the request from the team for registration in first division," said the team in a statement after the UCI released the final list of teams.
"Team management, riders and staff are extremely surprised by the lack of justification for such a decision made by the UCI".
It was believed that either Team Saxo-Tinkoff or Team Lotto Belisol will be given the licence, but who would have thought that UCI will sacrifice the second top World Tour team to facilitate the two sides.
The final list of World Tour sides as published by the UCI is as below,
2013 WorldTour teams
Current licence holders approved on Nov. 2
Team Astana Pro, 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 and Team Movistar (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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