Bye Bye Bicycle said:Euskaltel should return to the PCT/GS II level, right where they belong. Than they can keep their squad basque-only with a team of maybe 16 to 18 riders, concentrate on the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, San Sebastian and the Vuelta.
And one more WT place (and automatic GT invitation) would be available for a team worth the status.
I think Euskaltel more than earned its place in the GT's over the last few seasons. In the Tour, they have a contender high up every year, last year winning a stage, taking the polka dot jersey and finishing 6th. They won two of the hardest Giro stages this year. Tell me other teams that are better suited for doing that and were not invited.
The problem is not the GTs, its certain smaller races and cobbled classics mostly.