The UCI had requested in February for their Licence Commission to revoke Astana’s top-tier racing status for the 2015 season after an independent Institute of Sport Sciences of the University of Lausanne (ISSUL) audit of the team’s anti-doping culture, policies, structures and management systems, following several doping cases involving their riders.

However, the Commission suspended proceedings against the Kazakh-based squad in April after the team committed to putting in place a series of special measures, proposed by ISSUL, at specific times over the rest of the season.

Astana, the team of Vuelta a España winner Fabio Aru, were also subject to "strict monitoring" throughout the duration of the season and the Commission have now stated proceedings into the team having their licence withdrawn are now "devoid of purpose and are closed".

The Licence Commission’s reasoned decision reflected that following two reports by ISSUL, in June and September, that the team had shown a willingness to overcome its "'old-style culture' with over-influential leaders" while failings in their organisational approach had been corrected.

Additionally, the professionalism of coaches and doctors, the promise to hire two more Russian staff in order to prepare Russian speaking riders, and the effort to embrace a communication tool was noted by the Commission.

As a result of the decision, Astana have been granted a licence for the 2016 season, which will be the final year teams are awarded licences annually after the UCI Management Committee approved a move to grant three-year licences from the 2017 season this September, as part of a series of major reforms.

AG2R La Mondiale, BMC Racing Team, FDJ, IAM Cycling, Movistar Team, Orica-GreenEdge, Team Giant-Alpecin, Team Lotto NL-Jumbo, Team Sky and Trek Factory Racing have all been successful in renewing their WorldTour licences for 2016.

Seven further teams are set to have their applications considered by the UCI in coming weeks with Team Dimension Data, who were formerly known as MTN-Qhubeka, believed to be one of those under consideration.

The team held a UCI Professional Continental licence during 2015, the second-tier status, and became the first African team to compete at the Tour de France having been given a wildcard.

Following their impressive Tour de France debut, which included a stage win for Great Britain's Steve Cummings, the team are looking to step up to the top tier and have made a series of signings, including 26-time Tour de France stage winner Mark Cavendish.

ONE Pro Cycling, a British team founded by England cricketer Matt Prior earlier this year, were successful in their attempt to move up to UCI Professional Continental status having been confirmed as one of 17 second-tier teams.



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