No new teams on the WorldTour licence list; 20 registered for Pro Continental status

The same 17 teams as 2015 register for WorldTour status next seasons, but two of them have applied to change their name

Geraint Thomas on stage three of the 2015 Tour de France

(Image credit: Watson)

Dimension Data, the 2016 guise of the MTN-Qhubeka team, will continue to race as a UCI Pro Continental team next season, according to the governing body's list of licence applications.

Seventeen teams have been listed as applying for WorldTour status in 2016 - the same teams as this season - with two name changes. The Saxo Bank name has been dropped from Tinkoff-Saxo, while Garmin relinquishes its title sponsorship of the Cannondale Pro Cycling Team.

In the second tier, MTN changes to Dimension Data, while fellow Tour de France wildcards Europcar and Bretagne Séché-Environnement become Direct Energie and Fortuneo-Vital Concept respectively.

British squad One Pro Cycling are one of the teams omitted from the list, despite submitting their application ahead of the October 1 deadline. One's founder Matt Prior confirmed to Cycling Weekly that the omission was a 'technicality' and that the team were continuing with their application.

WorldTour applications

AG2R La Mondiale

Astana Pro Team

BMC Racing Team

Etixx – Quick Step

FDJ

IAM Cycling

Lampre – Merida

Lotto Soudal

Movistar Team

Orica Greenedge

Cannondale Pro Cycling Team

Team Giant – Alpecin

Team Katusha

Team LottoNL – Jumbo

Team Sky

Tinkoff

Trek Factory Racing

Pro Continental

Androni Giocattoli

Bardiani CSF

Bora – Argon 18

Caja Rural – Seguros RGA

CCC Sprandi Polkowice

Cofidis, Solutions Credits

Cult Energy – Stölting Group

Delko Marseille Provence KTM

Direct Energie

Dimension Data

Fortuneo – Vital Concept

Nippo – Vini Fantini

Roompot Oranje Peloton

Roth – Skoda

Rusvelo

Team Novo Nordisk

Team Tharcor

Topsport Vlaanderen – Baloise

Unitedhealthcare Professional Cycling Team

Wanty – Groupe Gobert

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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.