The decision of the International Cycling Union (UCI) to grant Astana a WorldTour license is still being discussed in the cycling world. Lotto-Soudal manager Marc Sergeant is among the ones to have reservations about the UCI decision. "Bigger issues than just the fact must have played a role at the UCI," he tells Sporza.

In recent weeks, Astana has been in the negative spotlight for doping. "Therefore I had expected the UCI to deny them a license on the basis of what has happened," Marc Sergeant says. "Then Astana could have gone to CAS to receive a license."

"I had expected such a scenario, not the one we now had. Last Wednesday I read that new elements would still be investigated but a few moments later, the news emerged. We must prepare for a season with Astana.

"It is difficult to judge another team, but there are simply facts. These riders have not tested positive for insignificant products but for EPO. And it is also about young riders. That concerns me the most. There is something wrong with the education and culture of these people. They should do something about it urgentlu."

Astana has said that it has nothing to do with the continental team which has had three doping cases. "They should just do the reverse. Astana should to a big work to clean things up. Otherwise it will just continue."

But why has the UCI decided in favour of Astana? "There are bigger issues involved than just the facts. Astana has clearly not obliged to the rules. That is the general perception. Everyone felt that something had to happen but that won't be the case.

"We may not have to condemn the whole team but they must urgently do something to stop those things. We have already been working for years with a zero-tolerance. Astana is still in its infancy in that area. If they want to join the WorldTour, they have to adapt. Because the image of cycling is the only one that suffers."