saxo and argos in katousha out...

[Flying_Monkey]

Well, Katusha have been given a Pro-Continental licence. I am confused about the message this sends out now. If apparently they had significant enough ethical concerns around the team that they couldn't ride in the World Tour, why should they be allowed to ride at any level? Are the levels of cycling actually based on a sliding scale of ethics, where at continental level you can dope as much as you like, you can be a bit dodgy at pro-conti, but you have to be squeaky-clean at the top? Or was this all actually about behind the scenes payments and promises and Katusha simply didn't pony up enough to the right people whereas some other teams' backers did? I couldn't possibly speculate...

 

[rich p]

Hopefully the reasons for the UCI's denial of licence will be explained at CAS.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

CAS has rejected the UCI's 'ethical grounds' and ordered Katusha reinstated. Panic stations once again at the UCI, I expect... they really are useless.

 

[jdtate101]

As with all things UCI....a complete balls up!! Now what do they do?? Katusha are now legally allowed to race all the pro tour races, but some have a limited entry field, normally 18 teams but now there are 19. Do they just race 19 teams despite the problems this will bring? Do they boot either Saxo or Argos-Shimano and face a heavy lawsuit from those teams? Some races have wildcard entries or continental teams...do they get booted in favour of Katusha??

WHAT A MESS UCI....get your F***IN act together please...

 

[beastie]

The UCI are yet again shown to be utterly stupid. The whole organisation is a laughing stock. The position of fat Pat must be untenable now,surely? Fecking shambles.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

I think they will have to race with 19 teams and perhaps reduced squad sizes for some races.

 

[thom]

I think they will have to race with 19 teams and perhaps reduced squad sizes for some races.

yeah - the large peloton is often cited as one reason why there are some many crashes in the first week of a grand tour. TdF etc unlikely to be happy about losing a wild card option - I doubt it would happen this year but it might make a lot of sense and add to the racing if teams only had 8 members in grand tours.

 

[jdtate101]

yeah - the large peloton is often cited as one reason why there are some many crashes in the first week of a grand tour. TdF etc unlikely to be happy about losing a wild card option - I doubt it would happen this year but it might make a lot of sense and add to the racing if teams only had 8 members in grand tours.

I think the reduced team size would be the best compromise IMHO, as everyone gets to compete. Wouldn't like to see wild cards getting the shove, as it could potentially mean Tommy Voeckler not going to the tour, which would just be naff on so many levels.

 

[rich p]

The rules seem to require that the WorldTour licences awarded this year be re-awarded. “Every licence shall be granted subject to a possible redistribution of the licences following a decision of the CAS cancelling a refusal to grant a licence pursuant to Article 2.15.241,” according to Article 2.15.026 of the UCI's regulations

That bit seems to suggest a new licencing process but Fat Pat may make some new rules such as no teams beginning with K.
I reckon they should dump Radioshack and put Andy Schleck out of his misery.

 

[Strathlubnaig]

I like Brian Smiths idea of 25 teams of 8 in all UCI - WT races.

 

[montage]

I think the reduced team size would be the best compromise IMHO, as everyone gets to compete. Wouldn't like to see wild cards getting the shove, as it could potentially mean Tommy Voeckler not going to the tour, which would just be naff on so many levels.

grrrr

 

[oldroadman]

here's a thought - GT's have 9 man teams, whilst most other major races run with 8, so there are 25 teams as opposed to 22 in the GT's. The rules allow up to a 200 rider field. Races outside the GT/Monuments level generally determine team size themselves. For instance, the Tour of Britain runs with 6 man teams, which is quite common once away from top level. GT teams argue that there is not enough depth with less than 9 riders to support their ambitions, and race duration makes it essential to have the extra rider(s). I can see this, theree weeks is a long time and lots of things can happen.
So, to sqyuare the circle, it's really only GT's that are affected, and one extra team with a dispensation to allow 207 starters just for 2013 would look like a sensible compromise.
But then we are talking about the WMoAs (Wise Men of Aigle). There are quite a few staff and commissions makng decisions, so it's not all down to Pat McQ.

 

[oldroadman]

Well, the UCI pro council came up with a good decision from a aporting point of view, although it will mean some extra work for organisers, with the possibility of 23 team - 207 riders instead of 198. It's not jut an extra 9, there are all the support personnel, management, and two cars, soigneurs vehicles, another team bus, team trucks, it goes on. Could be some squeezy moments in the depart and arrival parking areas at this year's GTs.
That said, I don't think it will have much effect on the racing, with all the main players now in place, back to business.

 

[thom]

Well, the UCI pro council came up with a good decision from a aporting point of view, although it will mean some extra work for organisers, with the possibility of 23 team - 207 riders instead of 198. It's not jut an extra 9, there are all the support personnel, management, and two cars, soigneurs vehicles, another team bus, team trucks, it goes on. Could be some squeezy moments in the depart and arrival parking areas at this year's GTs.
That said, I don't think it will have much effect on the racing, with all the main players now in place, back to business.

I just hope the final kms of the first stages of the GTs don't get too dangerous and frenetic from a safety point of view. The first day of the TdF is flat as a pancake - could be a lot of high speed jostling within the peloton.

 

[oldroadman]

I just hope the final kms of the first stages of the GTs don't get too dangerous and frenetic from a safety point of view. The first day of the TdF is flat as a pancake - could be a lot of high speed jostling within the peloton.

Like there isn't anyway! It can get hectic in any stage race during an early flat stage, whether there are 100 or 200 makes not a lot of odds when teams are fighting to get position for their sprint trains. There are usually only half dozen to ten teams seriously going at it, and after that it's simply a length of peloton matter, with more people available to fall off if it all goes wrong when they are hanging on chewing the bars.