Astana given deadline for licence withdrawal defence
Following the UCI's recommendation that Astana's WorldTour licence should be revoked, the Kazakh team is given until March 20 to respond

Astana have until March 20 to prepare their response to the UCI’s request to withdraw their WorldTour licence, according to L’Equipe.
The UCI released a statement on Friday (February 27) revealing that the findings of the an audit by the Institute of Sport Sciences of the University of Lausanne (ISSUL) caused them to have concerns over the team’s anti-doping culture, policies and management systems.
In the statement, the UCI said the audit “revealed a big difference between the policies and structures that the team presented to the Licence Commission in December and the reality on the ground.”
>>> A brief history of Astana scandals
The audit had been one of the conditions of Astana being granted a WorldTour licence in December, while the UCI also claims it has received more information from the Padua investigation which reportedly involves a number of Astana riders.
A statement released by Astana on Friday evening confirmed they had confirmation from the UCI that the audit results had been received and that they would prepare to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if required.
>>> Comment: Have we finally seen the last of Alexandre Vinokourov?
“Astana Pro Team will consult with its attorneys to prepare documents and testimony before the Independent License Commission,” the Astana statement read.
“Astana Pro Team will reserve its rights pending due process at the Independent License Commission to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport following the scheduled procedure.”
Astana now, reportedly, have until March 20 to prepare their defence and response, but no date for an eventual hearing has been set.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
-
US cycling fatalities hit multi-decade high, but there may be hope in 'safety in numbers' effect
On average, 19 people get killed while riding their bikes in the US every single week.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Emma Langley nets Joe Martin Stage Race GC after storming TT performance
EF Education's Langley clinches her first UCI stage race victory in Fayetteville
By Clara Beard • Published
-
Public prosecutor's office opens judicial investigation into Astana Qazaqstan's license holder
Abacanto SA has held the WorldTour team's license since 2010, but is being charged with violations of the Luxembourg criminal code
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali will not ride Paris-Roubaix in order to focus on the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France
Italian says it would have been "really cool" to ride all five monuments but it wasn't "possible"
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Astana release new rap video starring Vincenzo Nibali and Alexander Vinokourov
Kazakh team have history of strange social media posts, but this one is quite something
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Which WorldTour team has the best kit for 2022? We take a look through the wardrobe
Now almost all the kits are out, here are our measured ratings of racing kit ahead of the 2022 season
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali to tackle Paris-Roubaix for first time in 2022
Italian is down to race all five monuments in 2022 for Astana-Qazaqstan
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I have been portrayed as a person that I am not': Gianni Moscon looks to a fresh start with Astana in 2022
The Italian can see himself competing in all five of the Monument Classics in the future
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali returns to Astana for the 2022 season
The 'Shark of Messina' returns to the Kazakhstani team after five seasons away
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Aleksandr Vinokourov fired by Astana-Premier Tech on eve of Tour de France
The founding member of the team has been ousted, reportedly for ‘personal reasons’
By Alex Ballinger • Published