Katusha IN

[Gloin22]

If 19 WT teams +4 are kept GT squads should be only 8 riders- it would hopefully stop Sky.

That would probably benefit them They already have experience of racing with just 8 riders almost whole tour last year and controlling it the whole time

 

[the asian]

World Tour to have 19 teams this year. Sensible decision because if UCI kicked out a team now, they would have been sued. Embarrassment to Fat Pat though.

The Giro will have some serious logistical problems.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-confirms-19-worldtour-teams-for-2013

 

[Zam_Olyas]

This sucks just for the pure pleasure in wanting to see Pat in trouble.

 

[Afrank]

Not a great decision, but not a bad one either. Will create some problems in the world tour races, especially the grand tours, but probably the most sensible thing to do. Kicking out one of the current world tour teams would just create more problems.

Although I was kinda hoping the highest ranked team would be kicked out like Libertine suggested.

 

[the asian]

Not a great decision, but not a bad one either. Will create some problems in the world tour races, especially the grand tours, but probably the most sensible thing to do. Kicking out one of the current world tour teams would just create more problems.

Although I was kinda hoping the highest ranked team would be kicked out like Libertine suggested.

The Giro is the one affected. Others can cut down a WC spot.

 

[The fridge in the blue trees]

IMO others can ignore the PT Teams and just invite whoever they want. 18 PT Teams was the deal that brought ASO/RCS and the UCI back together, not 19. You want 19 now? "Oh well.... we can't find anything about 19 PT Teams we have to take, it says 18 in the UCI rules..."

 

[Libertine Seguros]

This sucks because one of the original problems with the ProTour was that race organisers didn't want to have so many teams dictated to them. Now the number is steadily creeping upwards until it's a closed shop and there just isn't any point in starting a team unless you're a big money team that can buy your way to a place at the top table like Sky, Leopard or Radioshack.

 

[peterst6906]

AG2R La Mondiale, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Blanco Pro Cycling Team, Garmin-Sharp, Team Argos-Shimano, Team Saxo-Tinkoff and Katusha will be reassessed, and one will be kicked out.

As usual, the UCI have changed what they said earlier.

The most logical decision was made for a change, but it's not without problems for the season ahead.

Will go back to 18 teams next year, assuming the licencing commission don't create another surprise for a team.

 

[Lequack]

So apparently no more Katusha after this season?

 

[King Boonen]

Re:

So apparently no more Katusha after this season?

Bike and large sponsor pulling out, not surprising. Creating characters means stability though apparently...