Kelme face Pro Tour cut

Kelme's Alejandro Valverde will attract interest from rival teams

Kelme have reacted angrily after the International Cycling Union (UCI) omitted them from the 2005 Pro Tour.

The Spanish team, relegated from cycling's elite division by the UCI in 2004, were not included on an initial list of 17 squads.

"The UCI do not care about 25 years of cycling history," said Vicente Belda, Kelme sports director.

"It now seems the 20,000 different bits of paper they want is more important than a long and distinguished history."

Belda, who conceded his team had been a "disaster" in getting their documentation ready on time, predicted the Pro Tour would destroy cycling.

Grandstand discussion area Have Your Say on Cycling

"It will be the tomb of cycling, it will finish the sport," he said.

Aside from their relegation to cycling's second division, Kelme have been beset by problems including allegations of doping by former rider Jesus Manzano and the late payment of riders.

The new-look Pro Tour will comprise 28 races, including the three big Tours and former World Cup events.

---

Teams granted provisional licences by the UCI for the 2005 Pro Tour:
Euskatel, Liberty Seguros, Iles Balears-Banesto, Saunier Duval (all Spain), Cofidis, Credit Agricole, Fdjeux.com (all France), Gerolsteiner, T-Mobile (both Germany), Fassa Bortolo, Liquigas (both Italy), Quick Step, Davitamon-Lotto (both Belgium), Phonak (Switzerland), Rabobank (Netherlands), Discovery Channel (USA) and CSC (Denmark).

An 18th, and final team, will be named on 8 October.