UCI retains marketing company to beef up ProTour profile

The UCI has retained marketing company TEAM to help it raise the profile of its ProTour race calendar, De Telegraaf reports. TEAM was involved in the development of UEFA's Champions League and the UCI is clearly hoping the company can do for cycling what it helped do for football.

This is the company that has produced the AV presentation the UCI will show at the upcoming meeting of the UCI and Grand Tour organisers shceduled for mid-February (see report).

UCI president Pat McQuaid was very critical of TV coverage of the ProTour, with the exception of the Tour de France and said he would once again approach the Tour organiser about their involvement in the series. Along with the organisers of the Vuelta a Espana and Giro d'Italia, Tour de France organiser ASO has declined to participate in the ProTour.

"I will point out their responsibility to the sport of cycling," said McQuaid. "I can understand ASO's point of view, but not that of the other two races. They need the ProTour."