Saxo-Tinkoff had a long and excruciating wait for their World Tour license. But in the end they got it at the expense of Russian team Katusha as the most controversial loser.

The question of World Tour licenses is in chaos at the moment. UCI has stated on numerous occasions that they will not include more than 18 teams on the World Tour, but since the decision was revoked by CAS, a whole new bag of worms has opened up. Will there be 19 teams or will a different team be excluded? And if so, will it be Team Saxo-Tinkoff?

”I am not so surprised by the decision to include Katusha,” says directeur sportif for Team Saxo-Tinkoff Philippe Mauduit, who does not expect the team to be in risk of losing its license.

”Why should we be worried? They gave us a license for two years. As long as we don’t know anything, why should we be nervous? It will not change anything.”

Was it a strange decision to exclude Katusha?

”That is difficult to comment,” said the cautious Frenchman with a big smile.

Frans Maassen, directeur sportif from Team Blanco, was also not surprised by CAS’ decision to include the Russian team.

”It was a weird choice by UCI in the first place, but they must have had their reasons. I don’t see how they can revoke our license, so I am taken for granted that we will keep it.”