Langkawi to ProTour?

UCI President Pat McQuaid yesterday said he was satisfied with the organization of the Tour of Langkawi under the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) this year. He left the door of possibility open for the team to join the often discussed ProTour expansion beyond Europe. According to the New Strait Times, the MNCF would be involved in the decision.

"The race had a couple of troubled years, but it is a very good race and an important race to the UCI. It is a wonderful gesture in which the Government recognised this fact that this race is beneficial to their objectives," said McQuaid to the New Strait Times.

Thus far, the ProTour has been characterized by ongoing fighting between the UCI and the organizers of major European races like the three Grand Tours. Should the ProTour move to encompass races outside of Europe, it might also include Australia's Tour Down Under (TDU) Both the Tour of Langkawi and the TDU are now ranked as hors categorie races on their respective UCI calendars.

ProTour status would require organizers to include all 20 ProTour teams. Wildcard entries would be open to non-ProTour teams.