Flèche and Liège: Diquigiovanni yes, LPR no

By Gregor Brown

Organiser of the Flèche Wallonne and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), sent invitation notices to Italy-based teams Diquigiovanni and LPR Brakes. Gianni Savio's Diquigiovanni (with captain Davide Rebellin) will race the two Ardennes Classics, but Fabio Bordonali's LPR Brakes (with Danilo Di Luca) will not.

"They did not give me any reason," Bordonali said to Cyclingnews. "It is hard to find a logical reason to this decision."

Bordonali believes that all was in place for the team's invitation after adhering to the International Cycling Union's (UCI) biological passport system. He will ask the organiser for their reasoning in the coming days.

Di Luca won Flèche Wallonne in 2005 and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2007. It will be his second year to miss the races due to the team's lack of an invitation.

It was better news for Davide Rebellin, twice winner of Flèche Wallonne (2004 and 2007) and 2004 winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. His team manager, Savio, received an invitation from the organiser last night, according to Agr.

Both teams lack invitations to the first of three Ardennes Classics, Amstel Gold.

Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) also organises the Tour de France.