Who's got the Power ?

[Flap]

It's questionable who actually "pulls the strings of Professional Cycling"

[Pablo]

It's got to be none of them. Hence the current Pro Tour/Grand Tour problems.

For what it's worth, I think it's generally healthy to have a split/separation of powers. For one thing it's a fundamental democratic principle.

Part of what makes pro bike racing attractive as a sport is the cultural and historical significance of individual races to the countries they take place in - the Tour of Flanders to the Belgians, the Tour to the French, the Giro to the Italians etc. The fact that those races remain in the control of individual race organistions, helps preserve what makes those races great.

There are clear benefits to McQuaids vision for the Pro Tour, but far less attractive is a professional homogenised Formula 1 style circus, with the same competitors and the same winners travelling round the world.

It's a bit of a mess at the minute, but infinitely preferable to Formula 1, Premiership football etc.