The French cycling federation (FFC) has aligned its new 2005 rules along those of the Spanish last week, no longer allowing Continental teams from other European countries to take the start of its Elite Open races, the highest level races on the French amateur circuit. Therefore, only Bretagne-Jean Floc'h and Auber 93 will be able to participate in their domestic calendar as Continental teams, as well as the amateur teams of the Elite 1 and Elite 2 categories of course.
Only a few weeks ago, however, the FFC had stated that all European Continental teams were welcome at their Elite Open races. Currently, Belgian teams Jartazi and Flanders, as well as Britain's MG-recycling.co.uk are racing at the Circuit des Plages Vendéennes stage race, and will be allowed to finish that competition.
