UCI denies Pegasus Pro Continental license

[Aushiker]

Hi

The International Cycling Union (UCI) today announced that Pegasus Sports will not receive a UCI Professional Continental license for 2011.

The team’s status was in doubt after its major financial backer withdrew on the eve of the UCI’s license application deadline, leaving the organization scrambling to find other sources of funding.

CyclingNews

Andrew

[JV911]

Booooo!

[Aushiker]

Hi

Cycling Australia have now come out publicly in support of Pegasus ...

Cycling Australia has lamented the refusal of Pegasus Racing’s Pro Continental license application in a statement issued last night.

The governing body announced it was “also disappointed that Pegasus Racing has been unable to secure a Pro Continental licence,” for the 2011 season.

Cycling Australia provided a written endorsement for both of Pegasus Racing’s ProTeam and Pro Continental licence applications on the good will of team chief executive Chris White.

“That was based on our experience with Chris White and his operation of the Fly V Australia and the Virgin Blue RBS Morgans teams,’’ the statement read.

- Cycling Central

Andrew

[dodge]

Already a thread about it

viewtopic.php?f=37&t=35503

[Aushiker]

Hi

UCI releases announcement on why it made its decision:

“Following the reactions which followed the decision by the UCI Licence Commission to refuse the registration of the Australian team Pegasus Sports as a Professional Continental Team, the UCI would like to explain some points in order to ease the discussions and allow for a better understanding of the context in which this decision was taken. The full reasons will be communicated to the team’s management in the next few days.

“First of all, the UCI would like to express its deep disappointment faced with the situation that has arisen: the project of a professional Australian team was a new and very important step in the process of the globalisation of cycling which is a strategic priority of our Federation. A successful outcome of this initiative would have stimulated the pleasing growth phase that our sport is experiencing, notably with the creation and development of high-level races on different continents.

“For the UCI, the failure of Pegasus Sports is very bad news, but that cannot however affect the rigorous work our Federation carries out for cycling, or the respect that is due to all those who have fulfilled their obligations according to the regulation.

“While waiting to learn of the reasons for the decision announced by the Licence Commission on 20th December, the UCI can however presume that the refusal to register Pegasus Sports is based on a financial aspect, given the serious shortcomings the formation had presented.

“Despite the extended deadline of 15th December that was exceptionally granted by the Licence Commission, Pegasus Sports did not provide either a bank guarantee or sufficient financial guarantees for 2011.

“To reply to certain declarations that have appeared in the press, the UCI feels obliged to explain that despite the public announcements, the management of the Pegasus Sports project proved to be rather unprofessional from the start.

“Informed of the registration procedures on 23rd June 2010 in the same manner as all the other teams, Pegasus Sports didn’t respect the deadline of 1st October fixed for the initial registration requests.

“Following this first and significant non-conformity of the regulation, all the riders under contract with the Australian team obtained the right to free themselves from their commitment to the team.

“Pegasus Sports’ request to obtain a UCI ProTeam licence had moreover not been able to be taken into account following the result of the sporting evaluation established by the UCI on October 20th, which ranked the team 23rd. As a result, the Pegasus Sports file was evaluated for a possible registration as a Professional Continental Team. However, given the shortcomings on the financial side, which could not guarantee that the team would survive the whole 2011 season, this option also had to be rejected.

“Following this decision and in line with the regulation, Pegasus Sports appealed to the Licence Commission, which took charge of the file.

“However, the team still did not change its attitude: it did not undertake the necessary steps to rectify the shortcomings regarding the UCI regulation, that were however indicated several times in the different reports established by the UCI’s auditors.

“Even so, the Licence Commission granted an extended deadline (10th December) to Pegasus Sports so it could sort out its problems. Exceptionally, this deadline was even extended a further five days (15th December).

“Yet, at the end of this ultimate chance, fundamental documents such as the bank guarantee and sufficient financial guarantees for 2011 are still missing from the Pegasus Sports file.

“The UCI can now only sincerely regret this conduct from the leaders of Pegasus Sports and express its sympathy to all the riders and others involved with the Australian team who unfortunately bear the consequences.

- road.cc

Andrew

[Missy24]

McEwan and Hunter to go to RadioShack apparently according to teh twitterverse abotu 2 minutes ago

[Fletcher]

..and apparently Robbie McEwen is off to Team Radioshack..
Aah, fast moves Missy. I'll get me coat..

[Missy24]

The boss himself tweeted welcome

[gauchoracer]

The Boss...???...
The man in the Red Suit, or his Boss, Mrs Clause...???...

[Missy24]

The Boss...???...
The man in the Red Suit, or his Boss, Mrs Clause...???...

Lance Armstrong aka The Boss

Where have you been? Oh yeah, checked your stats, Word Association thread...

[Fletcher]

Hm, not showing my edit on my earlier post.

I'm glad for McEwen and Hunter, and Team Radioshack too. However, It will be a righteous pita for some of the other team members to get decent rides next year. Hm, I've read Michael Rasmussen is looking for some riders..

[gauchoracer]

At least Someone will get a nice Xmas Pressie, better than what they were looking at two days ago...

Merry Xmas Missy.....

[Missy24]

At least Someone will get a nice Xmas Pressie, better than what they were looking at two days ago...

Merry Xmas Missy.....

Thanks, Merry Christmas to you and your family.

I hope the holidays are safe and sound for you.

[AUbicycles]

What a relief, McEwen confirmed to race the TDU for Team RadioShack... really glad that he has got himself settled... and so quickly with a prominent team.

[Mulger bill]

Great news for Robbie Him and Jens got more balls between them than the entire UCI.

[MichaelB]

Now that time has passed a bit, some more info re the shennigans at Pegasus.

Seems like there are more issues that first thought ....

Here are some links from Velonews ...

No Conti licence for Pegasus ...

Pegasus rider 2011 teams

[AUbicycles]

Thanks for these links - they are really informative articles.

I can understand that a lot of fans are upset and it becomes harder to view the whole scenario as a chain of events that led to failure of the team and easier to point the finger searching for a culprit. The article brings in some elements that present it as a bigger picture, plus a fascinating intrigue with the link to Bannan.

[MichaelB]

One of the articles is an excerpt of a full article to come in March some time, so it will be interesting to read the full article.

Overall, despite some obvious dodgy things, it was/is still sad for many that are out of work on what was to be a promising project.

Overall, a bit ambitious and ahead of itself ?

Will it make people planning to join GreenEdge a bit more nervous ?

[AUbicycles]

Lets see how GreenEdge go this year as they try and fit the bits together. I am sure that in a few months we get to hear more though have to hold out a bit until we get news on the recruiting, no doubt discussions (for rider recruiting) will be taking place the whole year.

[MichaelB]

A few more of the ex-Pegasus guys have gotten teams in the last week or so, and the news is good for the Aussies.

Luke Roberts has signed with SBS for the 2011 season (reported in Cycling News), so hopefully he goes well.

[Sven Nijs]

Got a feeling of Deja Vu when I saw Scott were sponsoring GreenEDGE. Wonder if they've been given the bikes they originally gave to Pegasus....

[MichaelB]

Got a feeling of Deja Vu when I saw Scott were sponsoring GreenEDGE. Wonder if they've been given the bikes they originally gave to Pegasus....

Was thinking the same thing - I can see the add ....

WTS - Australia : Pro-Tour teams worth of bikes and bits, no freight as already in Aus with some km on them. Still plenty of miles left in them. Some odd branding, but we can change that if you want - 1/2 reatil price - Contact Chris White for pickup address .....