Cofidis and Bouygues Telecom lose ProTour licenses



swampy1970

Well-Known Member
Feb 3, 2008
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Fewer French teams in top tier in 2010

Sojasun moves up as Cofidis, Bouygues Telecom drop

French cycling will have only two ProTour teams in the peloton in 2010 following the UCI's decision to deny the renewal of the Cofidis and Bouygues Telecom licenses to the sport's top tier. Both teams will instead seek Professional Continental status for the coming season, the French "Ligue nationale de cyclisme" announced Friday.

The Française des Jeux and AG2R teams will remain in the ProTour, while the sole French Professional Continental team in 2009, Agritubel, has disbanded following the loss of its sponsor.

The Besson Chaussures-Sojasun squad will seek a promotion to the Professional Continental ranks following a successful season in which it was the top-ranked division three team in Europe. The squad was ranked fifth in the European Tour, and Jimmy Casper is currently battling with Kenny Van Hummel (Skil-Shimano) for the individual title.

Remaining at the Continental level are Auber 93, Bretagne-Schuller and Roubaix-Lille-Métropole, making a total of eight professional cycling teams in France for 2010, down from nine in 2009.

The licenses are still pending UCI approval.

Fewer French Teams In Top Tier In 2010 | Cyclingnews.com

From the UCI site:

Press release : UCI ProTour : License Commission Decisions
Date:
29.09.2009
Description:Following the examination of requests received, the License Commission has awarded a UCI ProTour license to two teams and two events.

The Lampre team (ITA) has obtained a four-year license for the period 2010 to 2013. As for the Milram team (GER), it has received a license for one year, valid in 2010.

On the other hand, the Commission has decided not to award a UCI ProTour license to the French teams Cofidis, le crédit en ligne and Bbox Bouygues Télécom.

The Commission continues to examine the file submitted by the new American team Radio Shack. It will announce its decision at a later date.

As far as events are concerned, the Tour of Flanders (BEL) and the Amstel Gold Race (NED) have each obtained a four-year license for the period 2010-2013.



UCI Press Services
 
Thanks Swamp.

Confidis being disbarred is long overdue in my opinion.
Given their history.

Bouygues are a team I like - and am sorry to see the UCI slam the door on them.

Wonder what Voekler will do?