48 hours have passed since AIGCP president Patrick Lefevere issued the ultimatum to Giro d'Italia organiser Angelo Zomegan - but still with no result. "Both parties have become locked with each other," admitted Lefevere to De Telegraaf.
The Sunday of the Amstel Gold Race, the Quick.Step team manager demanded that 60,000 Euros be paid to each of the 20 ProTour teams scheduled to take part in the 2005 Giro, or the teams would boycott their participation. While this sum is in accordance with the UCI ProTour regulations, all three Grand Tours are still not "signed" members of the ProTour, have not paid the "membership" fees asked of them, and do not look like doing so anytime soon, if the latest reports are anything to go by.
With three weeks to go before the first Grand Tour of the year, the situation for all parties concerned - including the riders - is beginning to look desperate. "We'll sit at the table again on Thursday," said Lefevere. Meanwhile, Zomegan has agreed to meet with the ProTour team managers after today's La Flèche Wallonne, if they wish to talk.
Cyclingnews' recent coverage of the ProTour-Grand Tours split
October 4, 2008 - New ASO chief to maintain values
September 26, 2008 - UCI declares peace, appoints new VP
August 30, 2008 - UCI re-signs five ProTour races
August 22, 2008 - ProTour: Bouncing back or lame duck?
August 19, 2008 - Stapleton analyses 'world calendar'
August 18, 2008 - Feedback on 'world calendar'
August 18, 2008 - UCI announces 'world calendar'
Cyclingnews' complete coverage of the ProTour-Grand Tours split
