Anderis said:
I've read that top16 teams in UCI WT Team Rankings are safe. Dimension Data would need to do wonders in Eneco and/or Lombardia (and I don't think they have riders who could realistically be in the mix for the win in Lombardia) to close the 120 points gap to 16th Giant. It's said that we will have 17 WT Teams next year, so with Tinkoff and IAM folding, but Bora and Bahrain willing to take their places, there are two scenarios available:
- UCI abandonds plans to reduce the WT to 17 teams and all of the 18 candidates get their spots.
- One of the three: Dimension Data, Bora (with Sagan), Bahrain (with Nibali) is not granted a WT license for 2017.
TBH, I'm not sure if Dimension Data have the depth to deserve WT status over other teams in the mix. They could very well work as a pro-conti team with TdF, MSR, P-R and some other invitations ensured. I'm not sure if they have the quality to send a good team for multiple of WT races at the same time.
Unless Dimension Data spend up BIG very fast, they will be relegated as they should be. The depth for a full WT calendar isn't quite there. Spring classics, Paris-Nice, Romandie, Suisse, Dauphine, TDF, and Vuelta will probably be their main events for next year. Cav, EBH and Cummings are the only riders on their roster I see winning at WT level, although Kudus, Reguigi and Sbaragli have potential.