Francesco Moser, winner of the 1984 Giro and now president of the Professional Riders Association, has registered a strong protest against a decision to reduce the prize money in this year's Giro.

The Association said in a press release that it was "unacceptable" to reduce the prizes, especially after the discussions between it, the organizers of the Giro and the professional cycling council of the Union Cycliste Internationale in Liege a few weeks ago.

"The CPA, along with the ACCPI (Italian Professional Cyclists Association) will act with great resolution to safeguard the rights of the riders, who are the main protagonists of international cycling?. It seems quite paradoxical that the organization of the Giro d'Italia tries to reduce the sum intended for the riders, while the principal Italian race has recovered an international field,? the Association said.