The
UCI ProTour was a series of
road bicycle races in Europe, Australia and Canada organised by the
UCI (International Cycling Union). Created by
Hein Verbruggen, former president of the UCI, it comprises a number of 'ProTour'
cycling teams, each of whom are required to compete in every round of the series. It was initially the basis of a season long competition for rankings points, created for
2005 to replace the
UCI Road World Cup series, which ended at the end of the 2004 season (although the World Cup did not include any
stage races). The ProTour was the subject of continuing disputes involving the UCI, cycling teams, and the organizers of the world's most prominent bicycle races (most notably, the
Grand Tours), and in 2009 and 2010 the ranking element of the ProTour was superseded by the
UCI World Ranking. For 2011, the ProTour and World Ranking were fully merged into the
UCI World Tour. ProTour status for teams – relabelled
UCI ProTeams – will continue as the highest level of registration, and will carry the right and obligation to participate in all World Tour races.