Vacansoleil-DCM positive to have the World Tour license in the 2012 season
The Dutch Team, Vacansoleil-DCM, revealed that the team will receive its World Tour license in 2012. The team’s license was in doubt initially but now it claims that International Cycling Union confirmed that the team will receive the license for the coming
season.
UCI, however, has not confirmed the news, as the Spokesman Enrico Carpani stated, “The next official communication will be shortly after November 20th, following the first series of decisions by the Licence Commission”.
Team Vacansoleil was established in 2008 and made its debut in 2009. The team is sponsored by the European luxury camping holidays organiser, Vacansoleil.
The Dutch squad has seen a great deal of success right from the start. Major wins by the team in 2009 include, 1st place finish at the Arno Wallaard Memorial, Tour de Picardie, Circuit de Lorraine and a stage 6 win at Vuelta a Espana 2009.
Daan Luijkx, Team Manager, confirmed that UCI sent him the confirmation in post. The letter sent by UCI states that the application by the team ‘is in order’ as he told De Telegraaf.
Vacansoleil and RadioShack were two teams whose licenses were not renewed for the 2012 season, despite the fact that Daan’s team received a three-year license last year.
UCI reviews the teams annually and unfortunately both the teams had to re-apply for the 2012 season.
Article 2.15.071 of the UCI regulations allows it to as re-evaluate the squad before granting the World Tour license.
Team Vacansoleil-DCM claims to have completed all the financial and administrative formalities but was still asked to submit the paper work.
It is said that UCI has ethical questions about the team’s decision to dismiss Riccardo Ricco and therefore, the team’s license was not transferred for the 2012 season.
The team’s star rider, Riccardo Ricco, was admitted in a hospital as it was believed that the he was giving himself blood transfusion. He was suspended by the team on February 11, 2011, as the team started investigating the issue.
As per a press release, “The team started an internal investigation into the hospitalization of Ricco. This research led to a suspension of the rider”.
It also stated that, “Following this, the team fired Ricco today. The violation of internal team rules and other indications justify this measure. Today Ricco was informed of his release through a registered letter”.
It is however believed that Vacansoleil-DCM will get its World Tour license back in the coming season.
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