June 22, 2006 – Following the legal investigation that was recently opened in Spain on doping, the President of the UCI ProTour Council (UPTC) has forwarded a complete file with all information collected on this case to the Licence Commission.

On the basis of documents currently available, the Licence Commission has informed the UCI ProTour Council President that it cannot, to this day, take any decision as to the fate of UCI ProTour licences of teams affected by this case.

The Licence Commission has confirmed that it is however ready to intervene at any moment should new information be submitted.

The President of the UPTC has approved the new denomination of the “Astana – Würth Team”, on basis of information received from Ernst&Young, who were given the mandate to examine the financial situation of the team following the withdrawal of its main sponsor.
The Astana – Würth Team can therefore pursue its activity within the UCI ProTour for now.

The UCI would also like to note that it is still waiting for information to be provided by the Spanish authorities to open, if necessary, disciplinary procedure as foreseen by the regulations regarding riders and other persons involved in this matter.