Former Vini Fantini-Selle Italia team misses out after EPO positives of Di Luca and Santambrogio

Giro d’Italia organisers RCS Sport have issued a shortlist of eight contenting teams for the wildcard slots available for next year’s race, with another team appearing to pay the price for doping cases this year.



The organisers released an image of the eight teams via Twitter today, asking fans for their feedback on which of those should be given the nod.



The eight contenders are Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox, Caja Rural-RGA, Team Colombia, IAM Cycling, MTN-Qhubeka, Team NetApp-Endura, Team Novo Nordisk and UnitedHealtcare Pro Cycling Team.



All will aim to present a strong case for inclusion when the final places are allocated.



Another wildcard team, Androni-Giocattoli, has not been listed but will gain a place due to its victory in the Copa Italia team classification series.



Last year four invites were awarded, including that extended to Androni-Giocattoli for its earlier 2012 Copa Italia win.



The other successful teams were Colombia, Bardiani-CSF and Vini Fantini-Selle Italia.



The latter had two high profile doping cases relating to riders in the Giro d’Italia. Danilo di Luca was ejected after it emerged that he had tested positive for EPO in a pre-race test. After the event finished it was announced that stage fourteen winner Mauro Santambrogio had a positive A test for EPO in a random control taken on the opening day of the race.



In September the Italian media reported that Santambrogio’s B sample had tested negative, meaning that the rider might go unsanctioned.



However in terms of negative publicity, the damage has already been done to the race. Despite pledges of ‘public clarity’ and internal controls, the renamed Yellow Fluo squad appears to be out of the running at this point in time.



The remaining teams will continue their work to try to convince the organisers of their worth.