Meanwhile, the UCI's latest salvo in its ongoing disagreement with the Grand Tour organisers is to claim that the sponsors of the 20 ProTeams support a united professional series.
"After discussions in Brussels today [December 12] with leaders of the UCI, including president Pat McQuaid, vice president Hein Verbruggen and the president of the ProTour Counsel Vittorio Adorni, representatives of the sponsors of the 20 ProTour teams have confirmed their support for a united professional series," the UCI said in a statement.
