According to the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo, three of the Team Colombia riders who were expected to feature in their Giro d’Italia roster were denied visas by the British Embassy, what puts their participation in the Italian grand tour under question.

The 2014 edition of the Giro d’Italia will kick off in three weeks in the Northern Ireland, but is remains uncertain whether Team Colombia riders Miguel Angel Rubiano, Jarlinson Julian Pantano and Carlos Quintero will be allowed to line up at the start, as he British Embassy denied to issue them visas.

“The procedures were launched [many] days ago and the plan was to travel to Italy and then to Ireland,” El Tiempo reported.

The Pro Continental squad managed by Claudio Corti was granted an invitation to participate in the Italian grand tour for the second consecutive year, but faces a serious difficulties at the moment as Rubiano, the Colombian national champion, and Pantano were expected to be a key support for their leaders Fabio Duarte and Leonardo Duque.