UCI declares peace, appoints new VP

The International Cycling Union announced that its conflict with the Grand Tour organisers has ended after a meeting during the World Championships in Varese, Italy on Thursday. The UCI has been at odds with the three groups which organise the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España since the inception of the UCI ProTour.

The sport's governing body issued a statement that read simply, "The International Cycling Union and the Editions Philippe Amaury (owner of ASO and Société du Tour de France), RCS and Unipulbic have signed an agreements today to put an end to the disputes that have existed over the past four years.

"These agreements provide a framework within which the parties will work together for the sport of cycling going forward. All parties believe that this marks the start of a new positive era for a united cycling family."

The agreement came one day after UCI Vice President Hein Verbruggen, the man who began the ProTour, resigned from his post.

The Cuban News Agency reported that Jose Manuel Pelaez, the head of the Cuban Cycling Federation and Portuguese Artur Lopes will replace Australian Ray Godkin and Verbruggen as Vice Presidents. Pat McQuaid remains on as President, and Vladimir Holecek as the third Vice President.

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?
August 19, 2008 - Stapleton analyses 'world calendar'
August 18, 2008 - Feedback on 'world calendar'
August 18, 2008 - UCI announces 'world calendar'

Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the ProTour-Grand Tours split