Katusha cycling team wins appeal against CAS

Katusha's Joaquim Rodriguez rides during the fifth stage of the Tour of Oman.

NICOLAS BOUVY/EPA

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) -- Russian cycling team Katusha has won its appeal against the International Cycling Union's decision to deny it top-tier status for the 2013 season.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it has upheld Katusha's challenge to the rejection by the UCI Licensing Commission.

Katusha will now be automatically entered in all World Tour events, including the Tour de France, major stage races and one-day classics.

CAS says its panel issued an urgent decision and will give its detailed reasons within weeks.

CAS says its panel of three arbitrators "did not reach the same conclusions as the UCI Licensing Commission and decided to uphold the appeal."

The UCI never published the reasons for rejecting Katusha's application.