The International Cycling Union, UCI and organizers of next week's Paris-Nice race have reached a deal that will allow the major teams to compete in the ProTour opening event.
The agreement Monday in Zaventem, Belgium is a short-term compromise to head off a possible split in the sport. The UCI and major race organizers disagree on who controls the sport. The UCI sought to enter 20 teams of its choice in the 27 ProTour events. Race organizers wanted to have much more authority to invite teams.
Under the compromise, the top 18 teams will be guaranteed a starting position. Race organizers promised to assess two other teams as wild-card entries. Both sides set a September 21 deadline to find a lasting solution to the issues.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
