Now, the question is..... will this mean anything?
AIGLE, Switzerland, May 23 (AFP) - The International Cycling
Union (UCI) on Friday officially accepted the registration of Jan
Ullrich's new team, Bianchi, paving the way for the former Tour de
France winner to compete in this year's race.
Ullrich's new team, who stepped in to the fray at the eleventh
hour after the suspension of his former team, Coast, can now look
forward to participating in this year's centenary race which begins
on July 5.
As agreed by Tour organisers, Bianchi will be awarded the final
22nd team place, which had originally been reserved for the German
Coast team.
A UCI statement said: "Following the suspension of Team Coast on
May 9, 2003 and following subsequent developments which caused all
riders of this TT (trade team) to leave, thus suspension of its
activity, the UCI announces the registration of the Bianchi Trade
Team.
"Following the Professional Cycling Council's previous
agreement, on principle, on the registration of Bianchi, the UCI has
revised the file presented by this company.
"As a result of this decision, Team Bianchi detains, as of
today, all rights of participation to races on the international
calendar, and rights in general linked to a TT Top Club status."
A decision on the inclusion of Bianchi among cycling's elite had
not been expected until next week, however a review of the team's
financial dossier on Friday apparently satisfied the UCI top brass.
"The independent legal and financial structure of the Bianchi
Team, the willingness to commit to cycling for the next few years,
the fact that this TT is welcoming all the riders and staff from
Team Coast wishing to join it, as well as the economical guarantees
provided, allow the UCI to approve their integration to the Top
Clubs as they prove satisfactory to all regulation-aspects," the UCI
statement added.
jd/ea03
-0- May/23/2003 17:21 GMT
EOS (AFS) May/23/2003 13:21 295
-0- (AFS) May/23/2003 17:22 GMT
It's not easy to juggle a pregnant wife and a troubled child, but somehow I managed to squeeze in 8 hours of TV a day - Homer Simpson
AIGLE, Switzerland, May 23 (AFP) - The International Cycling
Union (UCI) on Friday officially accepted the registration of Jan
Ullrich's new team, Bianchi, paving the way for the former Tour de
France winner to compete in this year's race.
Ullrich's new team, who stepped in to the fray at the eleventh
hour after the suspension of his former team, Coast, can now look
forward to participating in this year's centenary race which begins
on July 5.
As agreed by Tour organisers, Bianchi will be awarded the final
22nd team place, which had originally been reserved for the German
Coast team.
A UCI statement said: "Following the suspension of Team Coast on
May 9, 2003 and following subsequent developments which caused all
riders of this TT (trade team) to leave, thus suspension of its
activity, the UCI announces the registration of the Bianchi Trade
Team.
"Following the Professional Cycling Council's previous
agreement, on principle, on the registration of Bianchi, the UCI has
revised the file presented by this company.
"As a result of this decision, Team Bianchi detains, as of
today, all rights of participation to races on the international
calendar, and rights in general linked to a TT Top Club status."
A decision on the inclusion of Bianchi among cycling's elite had
not been expected until next week, however a review of the team's
financial dossier on Friday apparently satisfied the UCI top brass.
"The independent legal and financial structure of the Bianchi
Team, the willingness to commit to cycling for the next few years,
the fact that this TT is welcoming all the riders and staff from
Team Coast wishing to join it, as well as the economical guarantees
provided, allow the UCI to approve their integration to the Top
Clubs as they prove satisfactory to all regulation-aspects," the UCI
statement added.
jd/ea03
-0- May/23/2003 17:21 GMT
EOS (AFS) May/23/2003 13:21 295
-0- (AFS) May/23/2003 17:22 GMT
It's not easy to juggle a pregnant wife and a troubled child, but somehow I managed to squeeze in 8 hours of TV a day - Homer Simpson