The big-name riders at Team Europcar in 2013 (Image credit: Daniel Schamps/BettiniPhoto)
The Katusha team(Image credit: Luca Bettini)
Katusha's 2013 line-up, complete with WorldTour insignia on their jerseys.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
The UCI has announced that 18 teams have submitted applications for the 18 available WorldTour places in 2014. Europcar is the only new licence applicant, and must automatically present a file to the Licence Commission, along with five teams who are applying for the renewal of their existing licences.
Twelve squads are already in possession of a WorldTour licence for 2014, including Katusha – who had to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to secure its entry into this year’s WorldTour – and Trek Factory Racing, which takes over from RadioShack-Leopard, having purchased the licence from backer Flavio Becca.
Those twelve teams’ registrations will be completed by November 4 provided, the UCI says, that “no irregularities are brought to notice,” in which case, they too will be requested to appear before the Licence Commission.
Katusha was originally denied a WorldTour licence last year after questions were raised about the team's ethical record. After Katusha's successful appeal to CAS, the WorldTour was exceptionally expanded to 19 teams for the 2013 season.
Europcar and the five teams applying for a renewal of their existing licences – Astana, Lampre-Merida, Movisar, Orica GreenEdge and Sky – must automatically submit their files to the Licence Commission before they are ratified as WorldTour teams for 2014.
All teams were requested to submit a registration file before October 1 that included sponsorship contracts and a bank guarantee.
The UCI has also published a list of the 16 teams who have applied for Pro Continental licences in 2014. These teams include IAM Cycling, Drapac, Cofidis, MTN-Qhubeka and the Accent Jobs-Wanty team that will be managed by current Vacansoleil-DCM directeur sportif Hilaire Van Der Schueren.
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Although Luca Scinto has lost Vini Fantini as a backer in 2014 (the vintner will sponsor a Continental team based in the Abruzzo region next season), his squad has applied for a Pro Continental licence and is listed as “Yellow Fluo.”
UCI ProTeams in possession of a UCI WorldTour licence for 2014 :
Ag2r La Mondiale Belkin-Pro Cycling Team Bmc Racing Team Cannondale FDJ.Fr Garmin Sharp Lotto Belisol Omega Pharma - Quick Step Cycling Team Team Argos-Shimano Team Katusha Team Saxo Bank Trek Factory Racing
Teams applying for a UCI WorldTour licence or requesting the renewal of a UCI Worldtour licence:
Astana Pro Team Lampre-Merida Movistar Team Orica Greenedge Team Europcar Team Sky
UCI Professional Continental Teams:
Accent.Jobs – Wanty Androni Giocattoli Bardiani – CSF Caja Rural – Seguros RGA CCC Polsat Polkowice Cofidis, Solutions Credits Colombia Drapac Professional Cycling IAM Cycling MTN – Qhubeka Rusvelo Team Netapp-Endura Team Novo Nordisk Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team Yellow Fluo
