Road Bike Racing - Poll: Is the UCI Pro Tour still Valid?

Ok you experts in all things road racing. We all know the big three stage races are out of the ProTour for '06 however with ASO pulling out there several of the classics and one week tours that are also on the outs. With exclusion of some the most prestigious race of year out of the mix does the ProTour still remain a valid competition or has it become just a group of meaningless races?

I think that it will still be about the same as last year.

Commercially, for the sponsors, the big bang for their buck is the visibility in the grand tours. I think the root of negotiation problems is the legitimate concerns of the grand tour organizers to hand over those television and commercial rights to the ProTour.

Without the big three and several other major classics, much of the sponsorship will find little value in the remaining protour races.

Commercially, for the sponsors, the big bang for their buck is the visibility in the grand tours. I think the root of negotiation problems is the legitimate concerns of the grand tour organizers to hand over those television and commercial rights to the ProTour.

Without the big three and several other major classics, much of the sponsorship will find little value in the remaining protour races.

My feelings exactly. Without these races what do you have but few second tier one day races and under-one-week stage races. I understand the UCI's desire to bring the racing into one big points paying championship but they do need to realize the the Giro and the TdF will go on without the ProTour.

Commercially, for the sponsors, the big bang for their buck is the visibility in the grand tours. I think the root of negotiation problems is the legitimate concerns of the grand tour organizers to hand over those television and commercial rights to the ProTour.

Without the big three and several other major classics, much of the sponsorship will find little value in the remaining protour races.

I fully agree! I predict that the ProTour will fold after this year and all other races will join with the grand tours.

I prefer to focus on individual races and individual riders. I refuse to stroke the egos of organizers.

I never thought the Grand Tours should be in the Pro Tour. I do like the idea of a large bonus for the highest finihing rider through all three GTs, a la Triple Crown.

Bring back the WC.