Paris-Nice gets go-ahead

UCI president Pat McQuaid had threatened to punish any team taking part in the week-long race which starts on Sunday after it was dropped by the governing body's Pro-Tour following a dispute with organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).

In a meeting in Brussels between UCI officials, ASO and the International Professional Cycling Teams (IPCT), it was agreed that the teams could ride unhindered.

"We are going to ride Paris-Nice," IPCT president Patrick Lefevere said following nine hours of talks.

"We have a consensus for the moment that we can live with."

Last month, the UCI wrote to all 20 teams on its Pro-Tour telling them it no longer recognised the race and ordered them not to enter.

The dispute dates back to January when the ASO, who also organise the Tour de France, turned down the application of Swedish team Unibet.com, a member of the Pro-Tour's elite.