European season kicks off with GP Marseillaise

Eighteen teams, including eight French teams, will take part in today's GP d'Ouverture La Marseillaise, the traditional kick-off to the European road season followed by the Etoile de Bessèges stage race starting on Wednesday.

According to the French Cycling Federation, among the teams will be the Swedish registered ProTour squad Unibet.com, currently at the center of a conflict between the UCI and ASO, organisers of Paris-Nice. However, according to race organisers, Unibet will have to wear a neutral jersey that does not reference their name and sponsor "Unibet.com," which is prohibited in France due to regulations on gambling advertisements.