Paris Nice 2008

Lampre have confirmed their line up for Paris Nice despite the threat of sanctions from the UCI.

Guided by Maurizio Piovani and Guido Bontempi in blue-fucsia jersey there will be Bono, Bossoni, Cunego (photo), Gavazzi, Lorenzetto, Mori, Tiralongo and Spilak.

"We can realise good performance - Piovani said - There will be Lorenzetto, who showed in Valenciana his quality, and there will be Cunego who will test the results of trainings he has done until now. Interesting race for youngsters Gavazzi and Spilak".

The Quickstep team follow suit by revealing their line up of riders: Carlos Barredo, Matteo Carrara, Wilfried Cretskens, Alexander Efimkin, Juan Manuel Garate, Kevin Hulsmans, Gert Steegmans, Matteo Tosatto. D.S.: Wilfried Peeters, Rik Van Slycke.

Silence Lotto will also start and say; "Our team has decided to participate at Paris-Nice Taking in to account the importance of Paris-Nice in our year's programme, and with regards to the engagement by the UCI ProTour 4 years ago, our team has decided to participate at Paris-Nice, for the Interest of cycling. We do not want to take a position, we want to race.

The initial ProTour promises have not or almost not been fulfilled. On top of this, the Belgian Cycling Federation -has supported its French colleague with the organisation of the race, and this has also influenced our decision. But our team wishes - for the cycling sport, for our supporters, for our riders and for our sponsors - that a dialogue starts between UCI, the race organizers, the teams and the riders, to put an end to the present conflict situation.

We deeply regret that the highest sports council, CAS, declared not being competent in this matter. It his high time that all parts start considering, and that a solution is found, cycling has already suffered enough."