Team Saxo Bank will keep its world tour licence, UCI
Team Saxo Bank Sungard had to face the disappointment after the Court of Arbitration for Sport banned its star rider from professional cycling.
One of the most successful stage race cyclist, Alberto Contador, was accused of using unfair means during the 2010 version of the French Grand Tour.
The UCI President Pat McQuaid noted, “UCI followed the correct procedure in accordance with the rules”.
“The Licence Commission carried out its work and took its decision in an entirely independent manner and therefore we accept this ruling in a serene manner”.
UCI License Commission admitted today that the team "does not reach UCI WorldTour level".
UCI mentioned in its press release today, "that the special circumstances of the case, including as outlined above, did not in themselves justify the withdrawal of the licence granted on 18 November".
The decision was forwarded to Court of Arbitration for Sport and the jury was convinced that the cyclist used clenbuterol during the Tour de France 2010.
He has now been banned from professional cycling for a period of two years, which will stop him from riding all the major cycling events of the year.
Contador claimed the third overall spot at the UCI World Tour individual rankings with a total number of 471 points to his credit.
Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert claimed the top position with 698 points while Cadel Evans of Team BMC finished at the second position with 574 points.
Alberto has also been disqualified from all his victories since the Tour de France 2010.
His exit from the top level of sport made it very difficult for Bjarne Riis’ team to continue at the top level of sport.
A total number of 68% of the points earned by the team came through Contador. The team has lost all the points earned by Contador and was in danger of losing its World Tour licence.
The team has not registered any wins in the season yet and is currently holding the last position at the UCI World Tour team’s rankings 2012.
It has only managed to secure 2 points and is desperately in need of a victory as the season progresses to its second quarter.
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