Amongst several notable omissions on the list of Pro Continental teams approved by the UCI yesterday was the Rock Racing squad. It was happy to register as a Continental squad for 2009 but, one year later, it wants to go bigger and dispute more international races.
Losing out on a Pro Continental licence makes that task more difficult, and it is something that team owner Michael Ball regrets.
“We’re obviously very disappointed but are working diligently to satisfy every requirement that is being asked of us,” he said in a statement. “We are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure we can race next year.”
The team was hit by cutbacks in 2009 and shed several riders in an effort to stay afloat. It is not known if these financial issues have affected the latest application but the team, like several others, wants to do what it can to argue their point.
Rock Racing, Androni - Diquigiovanni and Xacobeo are all amongst those who will appeal to the UCI by tomorrow. They must wait until December 16th in order to find out if they will get the go-ahead for next season, or if they will have to settle for Continental status.
American rider Floyd Landis is rumoured to be moving to Rock Racing. He recently stated that he was leaving the Ouch team with whom he competed this season, and that he wanted to race in Europe next year. If he is indeed heading to the squad, Rock Racing’s acquisition of a Pro Continental licence will be central to that.
The 2010 lineup should include returning riders Oscar Sevilla, Francisco Mancebo, Victor Hugo Pena, Jose Enrique Gutierrez and Fred Rodriguez. Tony Cruz, Eladio Jimenez and Moises Aldape are amongst those who are joining the team.