(Updated: Rock Racing is in the 2008 Tour de Georgia.)
Saunier Duval-Scott's loss is Rock Racing's gain.
A series of early-season injuries has prompted Spain's Saunier Duval-Scott pro cycling team to opt out of the 2008 Tour de Georgia that rolls from Monday through April 21.
The decision meant Tour de Georgia organizer Medalist Sport reconsidered Rock Racing for that final spot, even as the two were in Georgia Superior Court where the Continental cycling team has filed an injunction to get into the race.
Review
CyclingNews reports Tuesday that Rock Racing initially said it was in the race, but Medalist disagreed, saying the matter was under review. (Rock Racing sent out a press release on Wednesday morning confirming it was in the Tour.)
The US-based team owned by fashion jean designer Michael Ball was left off the roster when the teams were announced several weeks ago.
Although many speculated the omission stemmed from some personnel on the team's squad — three racers, including Tyler Hamilton, were barred from participating in the Tour of California — Medalist's Jim Birrell told VeloNews that there wasn't room for the team:
“There are a finite number of slots we’re interested in filling, and it’s hard, there are too many qualified teams to extend invites to, and not enough slots.”
Birrell also expressed displeasure with Rock Racing’s entourage at the Amgen Tour of California, which included podium-girl models, a PR firm, fashion photographers, a dozen-man film crew shooting a documentary and Ball’s driver/bodyguard.
Well, now there's room for them. Of course, there probably are other teams that would like to race in this year's Tour de Georgia but they didn't go to the bother and expense of filing a court action to force their way in.
Rock Racing's Ball said he had a verbal agreement from Tour de Georgia that it could ride in the race.
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