With the race about a month away, the organisers of the Tour of Poland have announced the four teams that have been granted wild card invitations to the 70th edition of the race. Since the race is part of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour, all 19 first division ProTeams will be required to attend, with the four invited teams adding up to 23 participating teams.

Three of the invitations have been given to Professional Continental teams, CCC Polsat Polkowice - the only Polish team in the top two tiers of the sport - unsurprisingly taking one spot, alongside Colombia and NetApp-Endura. Even though it is contrary to usual WorldTour rules - which specify that only ProTeams and ProConti teams may ride WorldTour events - special dispensation for the Tour of Poland means that the fourth invitation has been awarded to the Polish National Team, which will be made up - at least partly - by riders from the Continental level.

UCI Pilot Project

Although there will be 23 teams at the race’s start in Rovereto, on July 27th, the eight-day - seven-stage - race will have the smallest peloton of any WorldTour race this year. As part of a UCI pilot project, each team will have just six riders, instead of the usual eight, meaning there will be a maximum peloton of just 138. This measure will make it difficult for any one team to completely control the peloton and quench the opposition, which, it is hoped, will have an enlivening effect on the race.

The previous two editions have been dominated by Liquigas-Cannondale (now Cannondale Pro Cycling), with Peter Sagan winning in 2011 and neo-pro Moreno Moser winning in 2012.

Invited teams

UCI ProTeams (invited by right, and required to attend)
AG2R La Mondiale (Fra)
Astana Pro Team (Kaz)
BMC Racing Team (USA)
Cannondale (Ita)
Euskaltel-Euskadi (Spa)
FDJ (Fra)
Blanco Pro Cycling (Ned)
Garmin-Sharp (USA)
Katusha Team (Rus)
Lampre-Merida (Ita)
Lotto-Belisol (Bel)
Movistar Team (Spa)
Omega Pharma-Quick Step Team (Bel)
Orica-GreenEdge (Aus)
RadioShack-Nissan (Lux)
Sky Procycling (GBr)
Team Argos-Shimano (Ned)
Team Saxo-Tinkoff (Den)
Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team (Ned)

Professional Continental Teams (Wildcards)
CCC Polsat Polkowice (Pol)
Colombia (Col)
Team NetApp-Endura (Ger)

National Teams (by special dispensation)
Polish National Team (Pol)