Differently than in previous seasons, Pro Continental teams will have to wait at least one more month to find out whether they will receive an invitation to participate in the greatest spectacle in professional cycling, the Tour de France.

The wildcard invitations were announced in the second part of January in last two seasons, but this time ASO – the Tour de France organizer, decided to reveal which teams were chosen to take part in the Paris-Nice and Criterium du Dauphine first.

“I don’t have the exact date, but it will be before Paris-Nice,” ASO spokesman told CyclingTips. “Maybe the last week in February, or the first week in March.”

A company spokesman played down a suggestion that the announcement has been postponed in order so base it on teams' performances early in the season, as the final choice will be made from the six already short-listed squads.

“The choice is partly done already,” he said. “We have five or six teams so far, from which the final four will be made.”