Joaquim Rodriguez has said that he would quit Katusha if the team's appeal to rejoin the world tour is not successful.
The Russian outfit have not been offered a place on the International Cycling Union's world tour, so would likely miss major races including the Grand Tours.
The world's top-ranked road cyclist told Spanish newspaper Marca: "If Katusha is not on the world tour, I will change teams because I don't want to take a step backward."
The Spaniard has set his sights on winning the 2013 Tour de France, having finished on the podium at this year's Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana.
The UCI restricts the world tour to 18 teams per year.
