Originally Posted by
Sea Green Sky
Maybe that whole Bad-Boys-n'-Skulls (complete with facial tattoos) didn't work out so well after all. The image they work so hard to present most likely did not do them any good with the application.
Could have had some effect, but I think the biggest problem is the way they treated riders and contracts last year. A pro conti team is expected to have better financial backing and staff and support. But I also think the UCI doesn't want the "bad boy" image in the pro tour.