On the basis of the files received by the required deadlines and following their evaluation in collaboration with UCI-appointed auditor Ernst and Young, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has announced the registration of the teams listed below in both the first and second divisions for the 2016 season.

Teams registered as a UCI WorldTeam (1st division):

AG2R LA MONDIALE
ASTANA PRO TEAM
BMC RACING TEAM
FDJ
IAM CYCLING
MOVISTAR TEAM
ORICA GREENEDGE
TEAM GIANT – ALPECIN
TEAM LOTTO NL – JUMBO
TEAM SKY
TREK FACTORY RACING

It should be noted that all the above were already in possession of UCI WorldTour licence for 2016 but were nonetheless required to meet the annual registration criteria. Seven other teams applying for a new UCI WorldTour licence will be heard by the Licence Commission in the coming weeks as part of the normal application process.

The UCI do not specify which seven teams will be heard by the commission. Originally, only the 17 current WorldTour teams applied for a new license but it is no secret that Team Dimension Data hope to be asked by the International Federation to fill the vacant spot that would bring the number of teams up to the maximum number of 18. The South African team is probably the seventh team to meet with the Licence Commission, in addition to current WorldTour teams Team Tinkoff, Cannondale-Garmin, Lotto Soudal, Etixx-QuickStep, Lampre-Merida and Katusha.

With regards to Astana Pro Team, the Licence Commission has rendered its decision after the team’s four-month review period during which it was monitored by the Institute of Sport Sciences of the University of Lausanne (ISSUL).

After reading the conclusions of ISSUL’s report, the Commission has found that the team complied with the measures required of it.

A copy of the Licence Commission reasoned decision is available through this link.

Teams registered as a UCI Professional Continental Team (2nd division):

ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI
BORA – ARGON 18
CAJA RURAL – SEGUROS SA
COFIDIS, SOLUTIONS CREDITS
DELKO MARSEILLE PROVENCE KTM
DRAPAC PROFESSIONAL CYCLING
FORTUNEO – VITAL CONCEPT
FUNVIC SOUL CYCLES - CARREFOUR
NIPPO – VINI FANTINI
ONE PRO CYCLING
ROOMPOT ORANJE PELOTON
RUSVELO
TEAM NOVO NORDISK
TOPSPORT VLAANDEREN – BALOISE
UNITEDHEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL CYCLING TEAM
VERVA ACTIVEJET PRO CYCLING TEAM
WANTY – GROUPE GOBERT

The list mainly contains teams that already have a pro continental license but also includes Verva Activejet, One Pro Cycling, Funvic Soul Cycles - Carrefour and Delko Marseille Provense KTM that all rode under a continental lincense in 2015.

Six teams applying for UCI Professional Continental status have had their application declined in the first instance and their files have been referred to the Licence Commission in accordance with article 2.16.017. The UCI does not name the teams but Southeast, CCC Sprandi, Direct Energie (currently known as Europcar), Bardiani, Cult-Stölting and new applicant Roth-Skoda are all missing from the list. They still have a chance to be granted the license at a later point.

The UCI will communicate the decisions of the Licence Commission concerning the award of further licences during November and December.