A great start to the season, many races contested with professionals, then... a step back, another one with bicycles and team cars at a standstill. Team Petrolike, a Mexican Continental team that has chosen Italy as its base, is going through difficult times: participation in the Giro d'Italia Next Gen, for which an invitation had arrived from RCS Sport, has fallen through.

The reason is economic in nature: riders and staff have not received their salaries for months and the UCI has stepped in to seek a solution. The International Federation met with the team's owners - who in the last two seasons have made a good impression by bringing talented riders to the fore - there was consultation and ultimately a deadline was set: Petrolike has until tomorrow, Friday, June 12, to settle outstanding payments and resume activity.

Should this not happen, the license would be revoked, riders and staff would automatically be free to seek new arrangements and a jersey for the second part of the season.

Contacted by tuttobiciweb, Marco Bellini, a long-time team manager, explained the situation as follows: «Our sponsor is also the holder of the UCI continental license. At this moment, and it's no secret, he is going through a difficult economic period. For this reason the team has been struggling for several months. Clearly the UCI was aware of the situation and to allow a favorable outcome of this state of crisis, it initially gave a payment ultimatum set for May 30, and subsequently for June 12. To date the situation has not yet been regularized and this prevented us from participating in the Giro Next. No later than last night, however – Bellini added - I received reassurances from Petrolike. Clearly I remain confident that the situation can be resolved in the coming hours».