Cycle sport's world governing body, the Union Cycliste Internatonale (UCI), has granted ProTour licences to a further seven teams.
Cofidis (2009), Francaise de Jeux (2009-10), Quick Step (2009-11), Saxo Bank (2009-11), Silence-Lotto (2009-11) and Rabobank (2009-12) all have their ProTour licenses renewed, and new Russian squad Katusha (2009-11) are granted a ProTour license for the first time.
The addition of these seven squads to the list of teams belonging to the UCI's top flight brings the total to 16. According to a statement released by the UCI, licence applications made by Bouygues Telecom and Euskaltel-Euskadi are being considered.
Ghent-Wevelgem also received confirmation of its ProTour status, bringing the number of events included in the 2009 ProTour calendar so far to 11. A decision is still outstanding on the Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race and Tour of Benelux.
2009 PROTOUR LICENCED EVENTS
Events in brackets have ProTour licence pending
January 20-25, Tour Down Under
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(April 5, Tour of Flanders)
April 6-11, Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
April 8, Ghent-Wevelgem
(April 19, Amstel Gold Race)
April 28-May 3, Tour de Romandie
May 18-24, Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
June 7-14, Criterium du Dauphine Libere
June 13-21, Tour de Suisse
August 1, Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian-San Sebastian
August 2-8, Tour de Pologne
August 16, Vattenfall Cyclassics
(August 19-26, Tour of Benelux)
August 23, GP Ouest France-Plouay
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