News Flash for June 3, 2003

Edited by Jeff Jones

Definite: no Cipollini in Tour

The Amaury Sport Organisation (A.S.O.), organisers of the Tour de France, today finalised its selection of teams for the upcoming Tour. The 22 teams already selected through UCI rankings and wild card invitations will remain in place, meaning that Mario Cipollini's World Champion's jersey and the Domina Vacanze team will not be seen in the Centenary Tour.

The A.S.O. issued a press release early on Monday evening to indicate this, noting that the 22nd and last place was given to Team Bianchi, which the Professional Cycling Council permitted as the successor to Team Coast, keeping all of Team Coast's Grand Tour entry privileges.

The A.S.O. also pointed out that it has "completely respected the regulations applicable to the participation of teams in the Grand Tours (article 2.6.003bis)."

"Concerning the possibility of adding a 23rd team, ASO gave itself an additional period of time to reflect on the final intervening factors since May 19. Nonetheless, it has concluded that this decision, besides being contrary to the rules governing professional cycling... would have compromised the security of the race and the quality of the organisation."

The final selection:

Team Bianchi
Gerolsteiner
Team Telekom
Lotto-Domo
Quick Step-Davitamon
Team CSC
Kelme-Costa Blanca
iBanesto.com
ONCE-Eroski
Euskaltel-Euskadi
Rabobank
Alessio
Caldirola-So.Di
Fassa Bortolo
Saeco Macchine Per Caffe
US Postal Service-Berry Floor
Credit Agricole
Fdjeux.Com
Brioches La Boulangere
Ag2R Prevoyance
Jean Delatour
Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone

(All rights reserved/Copyright Knapp Communications Pty Limited 2003)