International Cycling Union (UCI) president Pat McQuaid has revealed that the sports governing body was considering putting a double circuit in place to try and resolve the ongoing conflict concerning the ProTour.

The ProTour was introduced in the autumn of 2004, by McQuaid's predecessor Hein Verbruggen, to help modernise and better organise the often hectic professional cycling calendar.

But it met with resistance from race organisers including the ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation), organisers of races including the Tour de France, who believe the reforms were rushed in too quickly and without their input.

McQuaid insisted that they were ready to facilitate the organisers of the world's most prestigious race in order to bring some unity to cycling.

"If they so wish we will include the Tour de France and other events in a different international calendar, while the UCI on their side will continue to strive for its ProTour project," McQuaid said.

McQuaid, who took over from Verbruggen last September, said the system would however not be in place for the 2006 season.

"There will obviously be a lot of work, a lot of thought to go into this double system.

"It will also be necessary to take several things into consideration like selections for the world championships, the Olympic Games, the international points scale.

"It will need at least a year to put in place," said the Irishman.

McQuaid brushed aside suggestions that the ASO had lost some of the power because of the ProTour.

"We have to convince the ASO of the ProTour's worth and that even with this circuit they will retain all their privileges."

Source: China Daily