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Katusha team, featuring Joaquin Rodriguez, denied Giro d'Italia entry

Joaquin Rodriguez finished second behind Ryder Hesjedal in the 2012 Giro d'Italia.

Joaquin Rodriguez finished second behind Ryder Hesjedal in the 2012 Giro d'Italia.

MILAN (AP) -- The Russian team Katusha featuring top-ranked Joaquin Rodriguez has been denied a wild-card entry into the Giro d'Italia.

Organizers RCS announced four wild-card entries on Tuesday for the May 4-26 race: Italian teams Androni Giocattoli, Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox and Vini Fantini, plus South American squad Colombia.

The 18 UCI Pro Teams received automatic invites.

Katusha has filed a suit in the Court of Arbitration for Sport against the UCI's refusal of its application for the 2013 World Tour.

RCS said Katusha was considered as a professional continental team. Rodriguez has said he will leave Katusha if it is not allowed to compete in the World Tour.

Last year, Rodriguez was runner-up in the Giro to Ryder Hesjedal of Canada.

RCS did invite Katusha to the Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo and Il Lombardia.

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