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Katusha threaten UCI with court action after WorldTour snub

Image: Katusha: Look set to miss out on a WorldTour place in 2013

Katusha have threatened to take the International Cycling Union (UCI) to court after the sport's governing body rejected their application for a 2013 WorldTour licence.

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It had been expected that the final three licences would be fought out between Team Saxo-Tinkoff, Argos-Shimano, FDJ and Lotto Belisol, but in a shock move, all four were awarded WorldTour places, with Katusha instead being thrown out. Katusha's statement added: "Team management, riders and staff are extremely surprised by the lack of justification for such a decision made by the UCI. "The Katusha Team is not retreating from the plans that have been made for the next season and is preparing for the official team presentation, which is scheduled for mid-December 2012 in Italy." Unless Katusha are able to overturn the decision, they could face losing Rodriguez, who has already stated his discontent at conditions within the team. UCI rules state that riders are free to leave unlicensed teams, opening the door for the 33-year-old Spaniard to seek employment elsewhere.

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