The war between the UCI and major race organizers took a significant new twist on Monday as world cycling’s governing body warned that it might have nothing to do with Paris-Nice, the European calendar's first major race of the season.

The March 9-16 race is owned by Amaury Sports Organization (ASO), which also runs the Tour de France. Following a long-running dispute and subsequent split between the UCI and major race organizers, ASO aims to run Paris-Nice under the auspices of the French cycling federation (FFC), with backing from the French government.

However, in a letter sent to all teams and officials on Monday, UCI chief Pat McQuaid warned that the race will have no support from the governing body, and suggested that the French Sports Ministry and any teams planning to participate reconsider their positions.

"This measure is utterly irregular and will have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved," McQuaid said. "Under the chosen format the UCI rules do not permit Paris-Nice to be considered an event on the French national calendar. Consequently, if the FFC insists on maintaining this position, the race will take place entirely outside the regulatory and organizational structure of the UCI.

"Responsibility for this breach of the rules would therefore lie in the first place with the FFC, which would be contributing to the organization of a purely private event, with no links to organized sport or to the Olympic movement, of which the UCI is the sole organ of reference for all disciplines of cycling.

"The UCI therefore wishes to make it clear that it will not be involved in any way in the organization of Paris-Nice under the above-mentioned conditions.

"As far as the international federation is concerned, this event will have no classification and no winner, and no points will be awarded for it.

"Moreover, no anti-doping controls will be carried out by the UCI, nor will it be involved in the management of any tests which may be carried out under national law.

"Finally, no international or national commissaires will be authorized to work at the event, which will not be governed by UCI rules.

"The UCI trusts that, recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the teams will refuse to take part in Paris-Nice, as, regardless of the sanctions to which they would be subject, such participation would compromise the image and stability of cycling."

Paris-Nice fell victim to similar power struggles last year, when ASO refused to invite former Pro Tour team Unibet.com. An 11th-hour compromise was reached and the peloton set off. However, in the past year relations between ASO and the UCI - already delicate due to disagreements over ProTour issues - have worsened.

Most recently, ASO controversially decided not to invite Astana - a Pro Tour team - to this year's Tour de France on the premise that the doping scandal that led to its exit from the 2007 Tour had done lasting damage to the race's image.

That decision enraged the UCI, which highlighted the fact that other teams - such as French outfit Cofidis - were thrown off the race after a rider tested positive.

McQuaid feels strongly that Astana, which features Tour de France champion Alberto Contador and third-placed Levi Leipheimer, should be allowed to race in July.