Team Saxo Bank-Sungard not invited to the Criterium International 2012
Team Saxo Bank-Sungard failed to receive an invitation to the Criterium International scheduled in March, 2012.
The race is considered as a high ranked UCI event, especially because of the fact that Tour de France organisers, Amaury Sport, officiate the event.
A total number of seven World Tour teams have been invited to the 2012 edition of the race. The Danish team is certain that Contador’s two-year ban has nothing to do with its exclusion from the French race.
The Spaniard was accused of doping during the Tour de France 2010 and is now banned from professional cycling until August 5, 2012.
Anders Damgaard, the team’s spokesman, told the Ritzau news agency, “It's not a race we have ridden the past few years, and if there is room for seven of 18 WorldTour teams in the race, then there are 11 WorldTour teams who can't participate”.
Race Organiser Fabrico Tiano briefed that the teams have been decided on a certain criteria and refused to reveal any further information, “I cannot say how we have selected the teams,” he said.
The race was first organised in 1932 and French cyclist Leon Le Calvez claimed the first edition of the race.
Three cyclists, Emile Idee (French), Raymond Poulidor (French) and Jens Voigt (Germany) hold the honour of winning it for a maximum number of five times each.
Luxembourg professional cyclist, Frank Schleck won the most recent version of the race, while Vasil Kiryienka and Rein Taaramäe claimed the second and the third spots.
The seven teams that made it through to the March event are: Team Euskaltel-Euskadi, BMC Racing Team, Team Garmin-Barracuda, Team AG2R La Mondiale, Team FDJ-BIGMat, Sky Procycling Team and Team RadioShack-Nissan.
The same numbers of professional continental teams have also been qualified for the 2.HC ranked event, scheduled from March 24-25, 2012, along with two continental teams.
The professional continental teams riding the event are: Team Colombia-Coldeportes, Team Type 1 – Sanofi, Team Bretagne-Schuller, Team Cofidis, Team Le crédit en ligne, Team Saur-Sojasun, Team Europcar and Team Project 1T4I.
However, Team Auber 93 and Team La Pomme Marseille are the only two continental teams that have qualified for the 81st edition of the Criterium International.
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