April 4, 2008 (Bruges, Belgium) – The UCI ProTour Council met today at Bruges in Belgium, two days before the Tour of Flanders, the second event in the 2008 ProTour. After the introductory speech given by the President of the UCI, Pat McQuaid, the representatives of all the parties involved in professional cycling who constitute the CUPT expressed their determination to continue the development of the UCI ProTour.

For President Pat McQuaid “it is extremely satisfying to see that even in these somewhat troubled circumstances the riders as well as the teams and organizers who have licences show such commitment. This demonstrates that the objectives of the UCI ProTour, in particular the universalization of cycling, quality improvements across all aspects of the structure and increased visibility of events are priorities which are very much shared among those who truly want to promote the sport of cycling”

During the meeting the CUPT continued its analysis of the calendar for the 2009 UCI ProTour, which forsees the inclusion of new events and adjustments to the calendar to make this run smoothly were discussed. In this context the CUPT was informed of progress in discussions with its partners in Russia and China as well as other developments which could lead to opportunities in other continents (America and Africa) in the medium term.

The CUPT also noted that a service unit has been established which will provide services in the development of new events and other support for organizers and teams in spheres such as the production and distribution of television images and securing of sponsors.

Also, the Manager of the UCI ProTour, Alain Rumpf reminded the meeting that the annual procedure for the issuing and renewal of licences would commence shortly.

At the end of the meeting, President of the CUPT, Vittorio Adorni, underlined that “if the riders, the teams, the organizers and sponsors assume their responsibilities everything is in place for the UCI ProTour to be a success which will be of benefit to the whole of cycling”.