Manolo Saiz, former Team Manager of Liberty Seguros-Würth, was able to hold on to his ProTour license registered to Active Bay Sports. Cyclingnews reported late last week that Saiz was likely to keep his license to the team that disbanded in the wake of Operación Puerto and it was later confirmed by the UCI.
"The UCI regrets the circumstances which have obliged the commission to take this decision, which is undoubtedly correct in legal terms, but which is most likely due to the lack of information from the Spanish authorities and the extremely confusing state of affairs with operation Puerto," stated the UCI.
In order for Saiz to keep his ProTour license, the financial records of Active Bay Sports have to be approved by auditors Ernst & Young by late November. The UCI confirmed this by adding, "... That for all teams, the upholding of the license each year is subject to registration with the CUPT [UCI ProTour Council], based on the examination of its financial file on 20 November."
Saiz has long held he has nothing to do with the Operación Puerto but is still under investigation by the Competition Committee of the Spanish cycling federation. With the UCI decision regarding Saiz, it becomes even more difficult for Astaná to distance themselves from their former Team Manager and receive a ProTour license.
