The international cycling union UCI has just released the news that only four teams are sure to have a ProTour licence for 2011. Rabobank CyclingTeam, Garmin Cervélo, Omega Pharma - Lotto and Sky Procycling have their papers in order and met the demanded criteria.

A maximum of eighteen teams will be admitted to the ProTour on November 20 and the teams that seem to have the best chance are: Luxembourg Pro Cycling, HTC-Highroad, Lampre-ISD, Katusha, Liquigas-Cannondale, Saxo Bank Sungard, Team Radioshack, Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling, Pro Team Astana, Movistar Team, BMC Racing Team, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Geox-TMC and Quick Step Cycling Team. Three of the above mentioned teams (Euskaltel, Geox and Quickstep) could still be rejected which would mean that Cofidis Le Crédit en Ligne has a distinct chance of returning to the highest division in cycling.

It is also quite a remarkable list; Not long ago there were five French teams present in the ProTour. Now all the teams look like missing their place in the first division, while Vacansoleil is a remarkable newcomer. The UCI will determine the final list from the top 20 ranked teams on November 20th, so also AG2R still has a remote qualifying chance for the ProTour.

The second division will have, besides the relegated ProTour teams, two new American teams within its ranks. Team Type 1 and UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling have both met the criteria set for successfully applying for a Pro Continental status, and will therefore be seen much more on European roads next year. The Pro Continental teams with wildcards for the Grand Tours are not known until November 20. All teams have until December 10 to qualify for an official UCI Continental status.