Competitor.com

Seventeen teams earn ‘wild card’ status

By VeloNews.com • Published: Feb 5th 2010 2:35 PM EST

Seventeen pro continental-registered teams will enjoy “wild card” status this, opening the door for the teams to get invites to ProTour events.

Sixteen teams were confirmed Friday, with BMC already assured its “wild card” status ahead of its debut at the Tour Down Under last month.

The teams were selected from a list released last month by the UCI confirming 21 teams that were granted professional continental team status for the 2010 season. Rock Racing was not on that list released in early January.

UCI officials said teams were only awarded the wild-card status after a strict vetting of candidates.

“Teams will only be granted ‘wild card’ status if they meet strict quality criteria, in particular sporting, legal, administrative and ethical criteria,” the UCI said Friday. “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.”

Wild-card teams for 2010

Acqua & Sapone – Italy

Andalucia-CajaSur – Spain

Androni-Giocattoli – Venezuela

Bbox-Bouygues Telecom – France

Carmiooro-NGC – GBR

Ceramica Flaminia – Ireland

Cervélo TestTeam – Switzerland

Cofidis – France

Colnago-CSF Inox – Ireland

ISD-Neri – Italy

Landbouwkrediet – Belgium

Saur-Sojasun – France

Skil-Shimano – Netherlands

Topsport Vlaanderen-Mercator – Belgium

Vacansoleil – Netherlands

Xacobeo-Galicia – Spain

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  • dbehrman
    How come your list says Colnago-CSF Inox is an Ireland team? The whole team is Italian and they were introduced in Italy. Both Colnago and CSF Inox are Italian companies.

    Was it an error? Or is there some time of slippery sponsor subterfuge going on?
  • Abners bikes
    Why not rock racing that sux!
  • jesusnieto
    I haven't heard anything about Rock Racing lately. I know that they were not given a Pro Continental licence, but then what? Are the racers and staff sticking in? Is Mike Ball keeping the squad?
    Not that I really care, but it is fun reading all the mail and comments about them.
  • azcycledad
    I heard a rumor that they got an Mexican license???? That could be a joke. Makes wonder what is up with Landis too. And, Mr. Ball has some bills to pay from what I've heard. The whole thing isn't very encouraging considering that there are NO USA teams listed.
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