Team Saxo Bank / Riis Cycling will keep its position as part of the 2012 World Tour despite failing to qualify without the ranking points earned by Alberto Contador, the two-time Tour de France winner banned two years for doping.

The International Cycling Union (UCI) says its license commission made the decision even though Saxo Bank ended Contador's contract when the Court of Arbitration for Sport imposed the ban in February. The Spaniard tested positive for clenbuterol while taking part in the 2010 Tour de France - which he won.

Cycling's governing body had asked for the Danish team to be dropped. President Pat McQuaid claims the panel "took its decision in an entirely independent manner."

"We respect the decision made by the License Commission, and we are of course both relieved and happy about the result. We very much think this is the right decision given the whole situation that caused the reevaluation of our license," team owner Bjarne Riis commented.

"Now we very much look forward to putting all our energy, effort and focus back on running the team and racing again, and for the first time in more than one and a half year we are actually able to do so 100 percent," Riis added.

Contador, who won the Tour de France in 2007 and 2009, was stripped of the 2010 Tour de France champion title. He can race again in August and will take part in this year's Vuelta a Espana.

According to a UCI statement, "As the Team Saxo Bank licence expires on 31 December 2012, the team will be required to satisfy all the criteria taken into account by article 2.15.011 of the regulations should it wish to compete again as a UCI ProTeam in 2013."