The UCI have announced the list of WorldTour teams. While IAM have made the cut, Europcar and Astana will have to wait until December 10 before a final decision is made.

The UCI has finally released its list of WorldTour teams for the 2015 season after its License Commission has made a full review of the sporting, ethical, administrative and financial aspects of the applicants. At the moment, 16 teams will make up the elite division after Europcar and Astana will have to undergo a further review.

Notably, the IAM team have been granted a license. The team initially didn't plan to make the step to the WorldTour but after an open spot turned up due to the merger of Cannondale and Garmin, the management changed its mind. The team hastily put together an application and have passed all the requirements to ride at the highest level.

Furthermore, BMC, Etixx-Quick Step, Team LottoNL-Jumbo (formerly Belkin), FDJ, Cannondale-Garmin, Tinkoff-Saxo and Trek Factory Racing whose license was expiring at the end of the year, have been granted a renewal. This means that the following teams have been granted a license for the 2015 season:

AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
ETIXX–QUICK STEP (BEL)
FDJ (FRA)
IAM CYCLING (SUI)
LAMPRE–MERIDA (ITA)
LOTTO SOUDAL (BEL)
MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
ORICA GREENEDGE (AUS)
TEAM CANNONDALE-GARMIN (USA)
TEAM GIANT-ALPECIN (GER)
TEAM KATUSHA (RUS)
TEAM LOTTO NL-JUMBO (NED)
TEAM SKY (GBR)
TINKOFF-SAXO (RUS)
TREK FACTORY RACING (USA)

On the other hand, there is still no room for Astana and Europcar in the elite division. Astana's ethical situation has come under review after the Iglinskiy riders and three riders from the continental team have tested positive for doping while Europcar have financial concerns. A final decision will be made by the License Commission by December 10 at the lastest.

At the same time, the UCI has released the list of UCI Pro Continental teams:

ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI (ITA)
BARDIANI CSF (ITA)
BORA-ARGON 18 (GER)
BRETAGNE-SECHE ENVIRONNEMENT (FRA)
CAJA RURAL-SEGUROS RGA (ESP)
CCC SPRANDI POLKOWICE (POL)
COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CRÉDITS (FRA)
COLOMBIA (COL)
DRAPAC PROFESSIONAL CYCLING (AUS)
MTN-QHUBEKA (RSA)
NIPPO-VINI FANTINI (ITA)
TEAM ROOMPOT (NED)
RUSVELO (RUS)
TEAM NOVO NORDISK (USA)
TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN-BALOISE (BEL)
UNITEDHEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM (USA)
WANTY-GROUPE GOBERT (BEL)

Neri Sottoli and Cult Energy which plans to step up from the continental level, are still under review and the License Commission will make a decision by December 10 at the lastest. The UCI has given no information about the reason for the extra review. For Neri Sottoli, the concerns may be ethical as Matteo Rabottini, Danilo Di Luca and Mauro Santambrogio have all rested positive during the last two seasons.