Who owns the right to hold these races? From what I can
understand, the newly formed UCI bought or was given the rights
to run a heap of races around the world, in the name of unified
governance, and called it the Pro Tour.
Those who own the three grand tours (is that the right
terminology?) would rather hold onto that right than join the
unified cycling body.
Is there significant money to be made from holding the tours? Or
is it more of a 'We've always done it, no one can do it better
(or tell us we aren't doing it that well)'.
Do teams have to be registered with the UCI to enter a Pro Tour
event?
Who decides how many teams can enter an event? How are they
selected? What if a team changes owners, are they a new team or
the continuance of an old team? How does the TDU get to be on the
Pro Tour?
It's puzzling.
Brendo