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.

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