Vinokourov rides in the colors of the new Astana-Wuerth team. (Getty Images)

The team, formerly known as Liberty Seguros and boasting Tour contender Alexander Vinokourov, was implicated in a doping scandal in Spain.

But the UCI ruled Thursday that "on the basis of current infomation" that Astana-Wuerth could continue "for the moment" in the ProTour.

Teams need a ProTour license to race the Tour de France, which starts in Strasbourg on July 1.

Another Spanish-based lineup, Comunitat Valenciana, has already been excluded from the Tour after being caught up in the controversy in Spain.

In huge anti-doping raids, Spanish police seized large amounts of steroids, hormones and the endurance-boosting substance EPO.

Nearly 100 bags of frozen blood and equipment for treating blood were found, along with documents on doping procedures performed on cyclists.

Liberty Seguros team's manager Manolo Saiz was detained by police as part of the raids and Liberty Seguros promptly withdrew its sponsorship.

With help from Vinokourov, the team found a new Kazakh sponsor, Astana and Saiz resigned his position.

The UCI said on Thursday that the Astana-Wuerth's finances met their requirements for a ProTour team, having been examined by leading accountants Ernst and Young.

But they left the door open for further action with an ominous warning: "We will intervene should new information become available. Astana-Wuerth can continue for the moment in the ProTour."

Astana-Wuerth said it had no comment.

(Source: CNN)