The UCI ProTour council (CUPT) has ruled on the applications for registration submitted by the UCI Pro Teams and candidates for a Pro Tour license.
Each year, teams are required to submit an application with full supporting documentation to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). This procedure, which is carried out on the UCI’s behalf by Ernst & Young, allows the UCI to ensure that all these teams meet the requirements set under the regulations, and the legal and financial aspects in particular.
After an examination of the applications, the CUPT is up to full strength and has registered the following 18 teams:
· AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
· Astana (KAZ)
· BBox Bouygues Telecom (FRA)
· Caisse d’Epargne (ESP)
· Cofidis, le crédit en ligne (FRA)
· Euskaltel-Euskadi (ESP)
· Française des Jeux (FRA)
· Garmin-Slipstream (USA)
· Katusha (RUS)
· Lampre-N.G.C. (ITA)
· Liquigas (ITA)
· Team Milram (GER)
· Quick Step (BEL)
· Rabobank (NED)
· Fuji-Servetto* (ESP)
· Saxo Bank - IT Factory (DEN)
· Silence-Lotto (BEL)
· Team Columbia (USA)
*Fuji-Servetto was formerly Scott-American Beef
Sixteen of these teams already held a UCI ProTour license in 2008. The teams represent 10 different nations, with Katusha and Garmin-Slipstream being the two newcomers to cycling's elite league. Team Milram (GER) has announced they are considering leaving the sport before their contract it completed, so there could be an open slot should the UCI allow it. The Licence Commission has yet to rule on the license applications submitted by the teams BBox Bouygues Telecom (FRA) and Euskaltel-Euskadi (ESP). A hearing for this purpose will be organized shortly.
Pro Tour teams have a guaranteed entry into series events and agree in advance to send strong teams to all of the Pro Tour events. The Pro Tour is a season-long championship in which riders collect points for high finishes in the qualifying races.