UCI to make final decision on Continental licence for it and six other Danish teams
Speculation that the Danish Cycling Union might not approve the licence application of the Christina Watches - Onfone team proved unfounded today when, after previously stating that the squad’s financial details were lacking, the federation confirmed that the necessary details had now been provided.
A deadline had been set of noon today and the team has met that, giving the extra information that was required.
The DCU has now confirmed that Cristina Watches’ application has been passed on to the UCI, as have fellow Danish Continental squads Team Three-For, Team Designa Kitchen Knudsgaard, Team J. Jensen Ramirent, Team Concordia Insurance-Riwal, Team Cult Energy and team Blue Water Cycling.
The governing body will now decide whether or not to give each of those teams the licences they are seeking. The process is expected to take approximately a month.
Danish Cycling Union director Jesper Worre told Feltet.dk that the documents were now in place. “We have this morning received the required accounting from Christina Watches-Onfone, and thus the papers received from all seven teams, and applications have been sent to UCI.”
Told last week that the account details were incomplete, Christina Watches – Onfone director Claus Hembo suggested then that Michael Rasmussen’s place on the team may be the reason.
“I have a feeling that this has to do with the fact that he did not like Michael Rasmussen, and then maybe he does not like me, because in his eyes I represent Michael,” he told Sporten.dk on December 1st.
It was confirmed that Hembo had been forbidden from contacting members of the DCU or writing to the board. “I thought we were in a society where there is freedom of expression, but it's obviously not the case,” Hembo said in response. “Therefore, I do not know what to do right now.”
Worre confirmed that he had been told not to reach out to DCU employees or board members, but declined to give further reasons. He said that Rasmussen’s place on the team had nothing to do with the issue. “It's a completely unfair comment,” he stated. “There are seven Danish continental team who receive exactly the same treatment, and the other six teams can confirm that.
“Our continental teams are important to us, so they all get good treatment. Christina Watches-Onfone has also received good treatment.”
Apart from Rasmussen, the team also includes another previously-banned rider, Stefan Schumacher. It has said that Tour de France participation is one long-term goal.