Good knowledge @Thomas! Well, there you go - only­ solvent teams need apply for a ProTour licence, so one­ would assume the teams, who have been granted one for­ the 2010 season are well placed to see it through.

Pro Tour conditions, as well as minimum wages,­ etc:

Bank Guarantee: Minimum $900,000, or 25% of the­ team’s payroll for staff.

UCI Registration Fee:­ $68,000, plus $34,000 license fee (to UCI ProTour­ reserve fund)

I think part of the qualification criteria involves­ providing a financial guarantee that the team is sound­ - this includes the placement of a substantial­ financial bond with the UCI. So, in theory, a team­ cannot 'fold' during the course of a season and­ put their place in the big races at risk.

There's always the question of whether some of the­ teams with Pro-Tour status will still be around in­ july. It could be like formula 1 where several big­ teams have quit over budget issues. Astana were­ looking dodgy before this years race with wages not­ being paid, and they don't look in much better­ shape now

I don't think ASO give a monkey's about­ participating teams having ProTour status - they just­ want the best teams and the best riders. Just so­ happens, that most of the best riders and best teams­ are ProTour. There will then be wild cards, at the­ complete discretion of ASO, who may bring something­ different/special to the party. I would think that BMC­ would fall into this category, having the 2008 and 2009­ World Champs on their roster, but who knows? ASO want­ riders/teams to animate the race and the key question­ is, will BMC do that? They are effectively fighting it­ out with the likes of Vacansoleil, Cervelo, TopSport­ etc. It would be a big surprise if BMC didn't get­ invited, surely?!

I don't think the problem is so much the teams, as­ it is Patrice Clerc and @#$% McQuaid having more­ testosterone than Floyd Landis after a few shots of­ whisky.

We nearly saw a split a few years ago. If the­ UCI keep bringing in weak PT teams, and expect ASO to­ play along, we might well be looking at a split­ again.

The UCI needs to be careful. ASO has most of­ the big races. The UCI would likely be the loser in­ that split.

"BMC­ might look a better bet than, say,­ Fuji–Servetto, for­ example"

And there's the­ rub of the the problem ....... If there is such a­ problem with the management & employees of a team­ then why the hell are the UCI granting them a pro-tour­ license??

If the problem is that they can't­ support a team that is strong enough for the­ international race schedule then, again, why give them­ a pro tour license??

If the problem is that the UCI­ can't get backing, from the biggest race­ organisers, for it's licensed teams then someone­ has REALLY mucked up and ought to do the honourable­ thing and step aside for the benefit of the sport!­ (imagine FIFA telling the FA that Liverpool­ couldn't play in the Champions League because they­ wanted to let Yeovil do so instead!!!!)

Pro-Tour teams­ should get automatic entry to the big races ..... but­ the criteria for getting a pro-tour license needs a­ complete overhaul!

i agree i want hoogerland!!! what a legend

ASO has the right to invite who it likes, and that­ doesn't include all PT teams.

A PT licence­ doesn't guarantee you'll get a Tour start - BMC­ might look a better bet than, say, Fuji–Servetto, for­ example.

BMC are an American team, but BMC bikes are Swiss.

no - its american

BMC are Swiss registered I think - not American

Think so in America - poorly. For Team OUCH although­ might go to Rock Racing apparently.

So it's­ between BMC and most likely Vacansoleil after a decent­ Vuelta perhaps? I want Hoogerland in the peleton,­ sorry Cadel!

Gutted is Landis still riding??