(March 7, 2008, Lausanne – From the UCI) The International Cycling Union (UCI) decided today to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the French Cycling Federation (FFC) and its President, Mr Jean Pitallier, on the grounds that they colluded in effecting the withdrawal of Paris-Nice from the regulatory framework of the UCI, when there was no reason why the race should not have been held under the aegis of the UCI as an event on the international calendar. By so doing, the FFC and Mr J. Pitallier betrayed their obligations of loyalty towards the UCI and the entire cycling community.

Further to the comments recently made about the UCI ProTour by Mr Eric Boyer, President of the International Association of Professional Cycling Groups (AIGCP), the UCI wrote today to Mr Boyer asking for his resignation from the UCI ProTour Council.

The UCI has also decided to open disciplinary proceedings against Mr Boyer. The grounds for the complaint are that he encouraged members of the AIGCP to contravene the UCI rules by asking them to take part in Paris-Nice when the event is not on the UCI calendar, which means that member teams of the AIGCP are not entitled to take part in the race.