• Tools:
• Save |
• Print |
• E-mail |
• Most Popular |

Paris-Nice dispute still unsettled

Adjust font size:

GHENT, Belgium -- Team managers have postponed a decision on the dispute over the Paris-Nice race and have asked for a conciliation meeting with the International Cycling Union (UCI) and event organisers.

The meeting will take place on Monday, said sources close to the Pro-Tour teams.

"The problem is not to decide if we are going to take part in Paris-Nice, it's to find an agreement to save the season in the interest of the riders and prevent a new conflict," said Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefevere.

The row over the week-long race, which starts on March 11, dates back to January.

Organisers ASO, who also run the Tour de France, rejected the race application of Swedish team Unibet.com, who are sponsored by an online gambling group. Online gambling is illegal in France.

UCI reacted by dropping Paris-Nice from the Pro-Tour but most of the professional teams said they would defy the sport's governing body and compete in the race.

In a letter sent earlier this week, UCI president Pat McQuaid warned the teams they would be "heavily penalised if they decided to take part".

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Fears over China lake sparks panic
• Secrecy shrouds 'Indiana Jones'
• Bush presses Saudi on oil prices
• Dead body in flat for 35 years
• Miraculous memory focus of study

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)