McQuaid refuses French federation, sports minister meeting

UCI president Pat McQuaid is believed to have turned down a request to meet with French Cycling Federation president Jean Pitallier and French sports minister Bernard Laporte. The UCI released a statement stating it wouldn't meet with the parties unless the Paris-Nice race agrees to operate under its rules and regulations.

"Under these circumstances, the UCI president is not going to say yes to the invitation by the FFC unless the Paris-Nice race agrees to come under the normal rules and regulations," it said in a statement. "It therefore believes that it is not an opportune time to meet the president of FFC, even in the presence of the Sports Minister Bernard Laporte."

The UCI's announcement quashes hopes of a cease-fire between the world governing body and the Grand Tour organiser ASO in the lead up to next week's Paris-Nice.

Pitallier had told AFP prior to the UCI's announcement that Laporte would meet with McQuaid this week and would likely ask the UCI to be more flexible. "He was going to study the proposition and going to make an approach to the president of the UCI," Pitallier said.

Cyclingnews' recent coverage of the ProTour-Grand Tours split

October 4, 2008 - New ASO chief to maintain values
September 26, 2008 - UCI declares peace, appoints new VP
August 30, 2008 - UCI re-signs five ProTour races
August 22, 2008 - ProTour: Bouncing back or lame duck?
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Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the ProTour-Grand Tours split