The RCS Sport Wild Card Cycling Committee meeting concluded this afternoon. In the meeting, committee members Giacomo Catano (RCS Sport CEO), Michele Acquarone (RCS Sport General Manager), Mauro Vegni (cycling technical director), Marco Gobbi Pansana (marketing manager), and Pier Bergonzi (La Gazzetta dello Sport), chose the four teams which have been handed wildcard invitations allowing them to participate in the 2013 Giro despite their status as Professional Continental Teams.

The committee announced Russian Team Katusha’s position has been judged as it stands today - being a Professional Continental Team. The team was not handed a wildcard invitation and will, therefore, not take part in this year's Giro.

UCI Pro Teams (invited by UCI-granted right):
AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
ASTANA PRO TEAM (KAZ)
BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
CANNONDALE (ITA)
EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI (ESP)
FDJ – BIG MAT (FRA)
FORMER RABOBANK TEAM (NED)
GARMIN – SHARP (USA)
GREENEDGE (AUS)
LAMPRE – MERIDA (ITA)
LOTTO BELISOL (BEL)
MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
OMEGA PHARMA – QUICKSTEP CYCLING TEAM (BEL)
RADIOSHACK – NISSAN (LUX)
SKY PROCYCLING (GBR)
TEAM ARGOS – SHIMANO (NED)
TEAM SAXO - TINKOFF (DEN)
VACANSOLEIL – DCM PRO CYCLING TEAM (NED)

UCI Professional Continental Teams (Wild Card):
ANDRONI GIOCATTOLI (ITA) – Automatic right to participate as winner of the Coppa Italia 2012
BARDIANI VALVOLE – CSF INOX (ITA)
COLOMBIA (COL)
VINI FANTINI (ITA)

Commenting on the team's inclusion in the 2013 Giro, Team Colombia General Manager Claudio Corti sent Roadcycling.com the following statement. “This invitation is a crucial step in our project’s path, so I can’t be anything but happy that our team has managed to win a Giro d’Italia spot in just its second season in the pro ranks. In our first year, I think we showed everyone in cycling the real value of our riders and organization, and we feel ready to improve further. We got a huge bunch of people all over the World who can’t wait to see us in action at the Giro, and we certainly will not disappoint them.”
 
“We have got the riders and the attitude to perform in a demanding Giro d’Italia, and we will be looking to bring what everybody expects from us. We have a group of exciting grimpeurs and an “inspiring climbing” attitude, and we definitely will not back down when the road points upwards.”

Watch video highlights from all stages of the 2013 Giro d'Italia in the video section here on Roadcycling.com.