Cofidis, Bouygues Telecom denied ProTour status

The UCI's License Commission announced today that it will not award ProTour licenses to the French teams Cofidis, le crédit en ligne and Bouygues Télécom.

The Italian squad Lampre was awarded a four-year license, while the German team Milram was given ProTour status only through the 2010 season.

"That is very good news for us,“ said Team Milram's general manager Gerry van Gerwen. "That gives us more security in our planning for the coming year. We can now continue developing the team at the highest level. And of course, as the only German team at the highest level, it is important that we be able to present ourselves in a fitting manner at the season's highlights.“

Lance Armstrong's new team RadioShack is still under consideration for the ProTour. A UCI statement said, "The Commission continues to examine the file submitted by the new American team Radio Shack. It will announce its decision at a later date."

The statement made no mention of the ProTour license situation of Armstrong's former Astana team.

Two events were confirmed for the ProTour through 2013: The Tour of Flanders and Amstel Gold Race were each granted a four-year license.

UCI rules allow a maximum of 20 ProTour licenses, but are likely to give out fewer for the coming season. Cyclingnews reported earlier this week that three Professional Continental squads, Diquigiovanni, Cervélo TestTeam and Acqua e Sapone, would be guaranteed entry into the ProTour events by merit of their rankings in the World Rankings.

Bouygues Telecom and Cofidis were the lowest-ranked ProTour squads in the UCI's world rankings this year at 19th and 20th, respectively, lower than the aforementioned Pro Continental teams.