Rund um Köln organiser aims for ProTour status

After the UCI has upgraded the German Rund um Köln event to the Hors Categorie (HC) status, the race has taken "an important step in the direction of the ProTour, the 'Champion's league' of cycling", said the race organisers.

"This is an honor for our classic race and an acknowledgement of our hard work the last years," Artur Tabat said, who also thanked his main sponsor, DEVK Versicherung, an inurance company, for increased support.

Tabat believes an improved start list for his race - traditionally held on Easter Monday, and set down for April 9 - will attract more ProTour teams. Meanwhile, the German racing scene will be well represented, with Gerolsteiner, Milram, T-Mobile and Wiesenhof-Felt all having already agreed to participate.