The Astana affair continues to evolve and is still lacking a lot of clarity. First the team has been granted a later deadline for sumbitting their dossier to the UCI License Commission and they will now have to present their defence before Friday, March 20.

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport now presents a possible loophole that could save Vincenzo Nibali's and Fabio Aru's team. If general manager Alexandre Vinokourov steps down from his position and allows a new management to take over, it may be enough for the UCI to accept Astana in the WorldTour. This could be an easy way for the team to avoid being relegated to pro continental level or losing their license completely.

Neither Vinokourov nor the UCI have responded to La Gazzetta dello Sport's suggestion.