UCI underline Vandenbroucke position

Frank Vandenbrouck

Past darling of Flanders, Frank Vandenbrouck fell from grace after two drug cases and now he rides for Estonian Continental squad Mitsubishi-Jartazi. The team were offered 'Wild Card' status by the UCI a few weeks ago for events such as the Tour of Flanders. Since then there have been questions raised about Vandenbrouck riding in this events.

The UCI have responded by making the following statement: "The Estonian Mitsubishi-Jartazi team, who employs Belgian rider Frank Vandenbroucke, has obtained wild card status. This allows the team to participate in any UCI ProTour events to which it is invited.

Considering the Belgian rider's previous history, in particular his involvement in doping cases in 1999 and 2002, the management of the Estonian team proposed in a letter of 12 February not to include Frank Vandenbroucke in events in which the team makes use of its wild card status. It was on this basis that the Licenses Commission awarded the Mitsubishi-Jartazi team a wild card licence."

The UCI seem to be in no mood to compromise at this time and are resolved that the team honours its commitments.