Cycling teams quit ProTour series

Astana's Alberto Contador has had to sit out the Tour de France

The International Cycling Union's (UCI) control of the sport has been dealt a blow as all 17 teams decided to leave the elite ProTour series.

The ProTour, which started in 2005, guaranteed the top teams a place in the leading races.

"It has been decided unanimously not to renew the ProTour licences for the 2009 season," the teams said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

UCI President Pat McQuaid said the dissidents were now facing exclusion.

"We'll deal with that according to the regulations", he said.

"They face exclusion from the international federation, and that's something we are going to discuss."

What matters today for my sponsors is a participation in the three big Tours Bouygues Telecom Jean-Rene Berneaudea

McQuaid believes Tour de France organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) want to create their own private league outside the governing body's regulations.

"It is obvious they are going to join ASO's dissident federation," he said.

The Astana team, who were not invited to the Tour de France, are set to join the move.

"If everybody decides so, I can't imagine Astana will not follow," said team spokesman Philippe Maertens.

Quick Step manager Patrick Lefevere added: "I'm very happy. I hope the UCI will talk to the teams and organisers".

The UCI has been at odds with the organisers of cycling's three major events - the Tour de France, Spain's Vuelta and Italy's Giro - since they refused to be part of the ProTour series.

Bouygues Telecom manager Jean-Rene Berneaudea added: "The problem is that we were sold a product (the ProTour) which is not the one we got.

"That's the origin of the conflict. What matters today for my sponsors is a participation in the three big Tours."

However organisers of smaller races are worried about the future of their events.

"If it happens, 30 percent of the teams' staff will be without a job," said Thierry Cazeneuve, organiser of the Dauphine Libere race.

Richard Chassot, the Tour of Romandie director added: "It's bad news for cycling and teams who will have to reduce their staff.

"If the three big Tour organisers share the cake between them, they have enough races without us. We might as well die."