Teams Promoted/Demoted

[DrC0721]

With the speculation about riders switching team, the new Luxembourg team, sponsors, etc as expected this time of year, is it too soon to talk which teams will be promoted/demoted between the UCI Pro Tour, professional continental and continental?

I know cn posted this about the north american teams. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/north-american-continental-teams-evaluate-professional-upgrade

SpiderTech and Fly V have been loud and clear about gaining access to the TDF in the near future(2012 maybe the earliest). Rumors have Team Type 1 in the financial red and UHC have put up some solid results as well.

Assuming Milram fails to find a sponsor, that would cancel out with the Schlecks, I mean Luxembourg team. I think BMC would be promoted to the UCI Pro tour but I can't see another team getting demoted. Thoughts?

 

[ingsve]

Lampre had some trouble getting even a one year extension on their PT license last year so depending on how they have or haven't fixed whatever it was that made them in jeopardy last year they could see a demotion to pro continental.

Euskaltel is reportedly cutting back on their budget so that could also mean they have to go down to pro continental.

Footon-Servetto had an old license that is expiring now I think so they might have trouble competing for a new license with other better teams.

Milram might fold which would leave another spot. If they find a new sponsor though I think they'll stay PT.

Team Schleck will probably get a PT license.

Vacansoleil and BMC seems to be a front runner among the pro continental teams to become new PT teams as well.

Cervélo is hard to pin down. They haven't shown any real interest in moving up to the PT but they might have to if they want to keep riding all the top races.

Since greater importance is going to be put on team strength it will matter how the transfer market turns out to see if any other teams are in trouble of losing their license due to competition from pro continental teams.

 

[DrC0721]

Lampre had some trouble getting even a one year extension on their PT license last year so depending on how they have or haven't fixed whatever it was that made them in jeopardy last year they could see a demotion to pro continental.

Euskaltel is reportedly cutting back on their budget so that could also mean they have to go down to pro continental.

Footon-Servetto had an old license that is expiring now I think so they might have trouble competing for a new license with other better teams.

Milram might fold which would leave another spot. If they find a new sponsor though I think they'll stay PT.

Team Schleck will probably get a PT license.

Vacansoleil and BMC seems to be a front runner among the pro continental teams to become new PT teams as well.

Cervélo is hard to pin down. They haven't shown any real interest in moving up to the PT but they might have to if they want to keep riding all the top races.

Since greater importance is going to be put on team strength it will matter how the transfer market turns out to see if any other teams are in trouble of losing their license due to competition from pro continental teams.

Thanks, I forgot about Euskaltel's cut backs so that should be one slot.

Footon-Servetto would of been my choice to go, but they seem to have improved over the last few seasons just missing that big name here and there.

I feel like Cervélo should be in the UCI but not sure if their budget is holding them back due to the "test team". You don't see too many bicycle manufacturer as the only sponsors, even if it is Cervélo. This obviously isn't the case for BMC unless they tag on another sponsor for 2011.

Like you said though, team strength is what matters so it's too soon to tell than.