Eric Boyer said: "The sport has won, there are no losers. There are only riders who will start on Sunday." A day after
Paris - Nice will end (March 16), there will be a meeting between the teams and ASO. The meeting will take place "to avoid
to have go through what is happening now," Boyer said.
"When the UCI wanted to forbid us to ride Paris - Nice we said that we wanted to look for a solution. We found one with
ASO," Boyer said.
The Belgian Silence - Lotto team issued a press release saying that: "Taking in to account the importance of Paris-Nice
in our year's programme, and with regards to the engagement by the UCI ProTour 4 years ago, our team has decided to participate
at Paris-Nice, for the Interest of cycling."
The Belgian 'Pro - Tour' team continued by saying: The initial ProTour promisses have not or almost not been fulfilled.
On top of this, the Belgian Cycling Federation -has supported its French colleague with the organisation of the race, and
this has also influenced our decision."
"But our team wishes - for the cycling sport, for our supporters, for our
riders and for our sponsors - that a dialogue starts between UCI, the race organizers, the teams and the riders, to put an
end to the present conflict situation."
"We deeply regret that the highest sports council, CAS, declared not being
competent in this matter."
The press release concluded with: "It his high time that all parts start considering, and
that a solution is found, cycling has already suffered enough."
In an interview with sportwereld.be, Quickstep rider Gert Steegmans said: "The troublemakers didn't call me yet to ask
how I think about it. We can only watch from the sideline. I try not to think about this problem and to concentrate. It al
goes over our heads. We are the ones that are suffering. If we ride Paris - Nice we will be banned. If we don't ride we might
get sacked by our team. I don't know. Maybe the UCI should leave. I hope that there won't be to much bloodshed."
Race organisers Unipublic (Vuelta a Espana) and RCS (Giro d'Italia) support ASO in their conflict against the UCI. Giro
director Angelo Zomegnan said: "We support ASO in its battle against the arrogant UCI. Our French friends can count on our
support and help."
Unipublic released a statement saying that "despite of threats, the pressure and doubt the race will take place,
the riders and teams deserve that. We are also happy with the decision for the cycling fans."
