MILAN (AP) - The Russian team Katusha featuring top-ranked Joaquin Rodriguez has been denied a wild-card entry into the Giro d'Italia.
Organizers RCS announced four wild-card entries on Tuesday for the May 4-26 race: Italian teams Androni Giocattoli, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox and Vini Fantini, plus South American squad Colombia.
The 18 UCI Pro Teams received automatic invites.
Katusha has filed a suit in the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the UCI's refusal of its application for the 2013 World Tour.
RCS said Katusha was considered as a professional continental team. Rodriguez has said he will leave Katusha if it is not allowed to compete in the World Tour.
Last year, Rodriguez was runner-up in the Giro to Ryder Hesjedal of Canada.
RCS did invite Katusha to the Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and Il Lombardia.
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
| There are currently no active polls at this time. Click here to view other polls on our site and past poll results. |
