Professional Continental Team Mitsubishi-Jartazi has admitted that the team offered to sacrifice Frank Vandenbroucke in exchange for the UCI's wild-card status for ProTour races. "The wild card status is very important to the team and sponsor," Manager Patrick Stallaert told Het Laatste Nieuws. The team sent a letter to the UCI on February 12 with the offer, which the UCI evidently accepted, as the team was granted the wild-card status.
"It is painful for Frank, but we can't sacrifice 25 riders for him," Stallaert said. "VDB", who is currently training in Italy, said, "I would never believe that Stallaert would have consciously sacrifice me. But I understand completely that the team is more important."
