The UCI announced today (see list below) in effect the 18 teams which will make up next season’s premier division, the World Tour. While two are still pending, one assumes they’ll be ratified in due course. The French will have the bunting out as there are now two teams in the top-tier as FDJ joins AG2R. No room at the inn for Tommy Voeckler’s Europcar but one assumes they’ll be in the races which matter to them, including next year’s Tour de France, joined probably by Saur Sojasun, Cofidis and Bretagne Schuller.
I was delighted to see that despite the “carrots cash crisis”, Euskaltel-Euskadi remain in the first division. The other team which has “lost out” is Geox but given the sponsor walked away at the last minute, it was to be expected. Rumours have abounded of the management seeking sponsors as far afield as Venezuela. If they’re successful, the team will have to settle for a place, once again, in the second division.
2012 World Tour Teams
- AG2R La Mondiale
- Astana Pro Team
- BMC Racing Team
- FDJ
- Euskaltel – Euskadi
- Garmin – Cervélo
- Katusha Team
- Lampre - ISD
- Liquigas – Cannondale
- Lotto Cycling Project
- Movistar Team
- Omega Pharma – Quick-Step Cycling Team
- Rabobank
- Saxo Bank
- Sky Procycling
- Vacansoleil – DCM Pro Cycling Team
Pending:
- GreenEdge Cycling
- Team RadioShack – Nissan
Postscript: The pending have been ratified.
