ProTour council adds four

The ProTour Council officially welcomed four news members at its meeting on Monday in Geneva, including newly elected Association of Professional Cyclists president Cédric Vasseur (France). In addition to the Frenchman Italy's Dario David Cioni, a rider on the Silence-Lotto team; Eric Boyer (France), President of AIGCP (International Association of Professional Cycling Teams), and Cofidis le Crédit par Téléphone team manager; and Henri Van Der Aat (the Netherlands), General Manager of the Rabobank team were appointed to the Council.

Vasseur and Cioni will act as the new riders' representatives while Boyer and Van Der Aat are the new team representatives on the Council.

One issue discussed at Monday's meeting was the further globalisation of the ProTour, after it successful held its first non-European round in Australia last month. The Council said discussions to hold events in both China and Russia are "progressing".

"The UPTC is also delighted with the success of the first event of the 2008 UCI ProTour, the Tour Down Under, which was held in Australia from 22-27 January," said a post-meeting release from the ProTour Council.

In addition to discussing the biological passport system, the Council also approved the concept of Wild Card status, which ensures that all UCI Professional Continental Teams that may be invited to UCI ProTour races meet the same sporting, ethical, legal and financial requirements that apply to UCI ProTour teams. Riders from teams with this status will also be required to have biological passports, the Council announced.