No UCI at Tour

In a press release sent out on June 3, the ASO, organisers confirm that the 2008 edition will be held under the auspices of the French Cycling Federation. As was the case with Paris Nice held earlier in the year.

The press release
As it regularly expressed during the negotiations held with the AIGCP in regards to the participation in the Paris-Nice race, A.S.O. understands and shares the concerns of the riders and teams, who, under threat from the UCI, would like to ask the TAS to cancel the interdiction of participation in the race, announced by the UCI.

However, the request from the IPCT to the TAS, stemming from the dispute between the UCI and the teams relative to " UCI PRO TOUR license" with which A.SO. has no ties to whatsoever, A.S.O. can not be associated with this legal action.

A.S.O. thus reaffirms to the riders and teams the absolute legality of the Paris-Nice race, which is placed under the aegis of the French Cycling Federation according to French law.

A.S.O. also notes with satisfaction the change in attitude of the UCI President regarding the participation regulations for the Tour de France and would like to believe that he is equally ready to recognise the "historic" stature of the Paris-Nice event.

Consequently, it leaves reason to believe the UCI will finally accept the mediation offered by the French Secretary of State for Sport, Mr. Bernard Laporte. This complete and precise long-term project could in effect bring an end to this conflict that has damaged the sport of cycling for too long of a time.