20 teams seeking wildcard status

December 19th, 2009 by Ron Callahan View Comments

The UCI announced on Friday that 20 teams are seeking wildcard status that will make them eligible to ride in Pro Tour events.

The teams are:

Acqua & Sapone (ITA)
Andalucia Cajasur (ESP)
Androni Giocattoli (VEN)
Bbox Bouygues Telecom (FRA)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Carmiooro – NGC (GBR)
Ceramica Flaminia (IRL)
Cervélo Test Team (SUI)
Cofidis, le crédit en ligne (FRA)
Colnago – CSF Inox (IRL)
De Rosa – Stac Plastic (IRL)
ISD – Neri (ITA)
Landbouwkrediet (BEL)
Rock Racing (USA)
Saur – Sojasun (FRA)
Skil – Shimano (NED)
Topsport Vlaanderen – Mercator (BEL)
Vacansoleil Pro Cycling Team (NED)
Voralberg – Corratec (AUT)
Xacobeo Galicia Team (ESP)

Of the 20 applicants for wildcard status, three teams (Androni, Rock Racing and Xacobeo Galicia) are still awaiting ruling on appeals following the rejection of their registration applications.

In order to be granted wildcard status, teams must meet a set of sporting, legal, financial and ethical criteria. In addition they must participate in the UCI’s biological passport program by contributing to the funding of the program and enrolling their riders in the whereabouts program.

The introduction of Wild Card status fulfils a demand by organisers, teams and riders, who have expressed their desire, together with the UCI, for all participants in races on the UCI ProTour calendar to meet the same requirements, in particular with regards to ethics.