Cycling Team Astana's Fate Not Sealed Yet; Decision Expected In Two Weeks

A source within the Kakazh-funded team Astana said it is expecting to learn whether it retains its World Tour (elite) license in about two weeks, according to Julien Pretot of REUTERS. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reported that the Int'l Cycling Union's (UCI) Licence Commission "was to strip Astana, the team of Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali," of its license following a series of positive anti-doping tests last season. The UCI said, "No hearing has yet taken place in the Astana case and therefore no decision has been made." Astana had until March 20 "to submit all documents" in its defense to the Commission and is planning to send a team to be heard on Thursday in Switzerland (REUTERS, 3/30).