ASO has reacted angrily to news that Richie Porte will race Tirreno-Adriatico rather than defend his Paris-Nice title.

"We find it a cavalier move to withdraw the defending champion just before the start of the race," race director Christian Prudhomme told AFP. "We were told that the Tirreno would be more favorable to obtain WorldTour points because of its characteristics and the time trial." 

"We stick to our route without time trials and big mountain top finishes," Prudhomme commented. "We did this to make the race attractive. The race can be decided on the flat stages and on the hillier stages to Mont Brouilly, [Mur de] Fayence or even on the last day." 

Paris-Nice has no time trials or long summit finishes this year and as a result there are no Grand Tour contenders on the start list apart from Vincenzo Nibali. There are also no “pure sprinters” either, with names such as Mollema, Cavendish, Quintana and Sagan and Cancellara all opting for Tirreno.

There are mostly young talents on the start line for the French race (Bryan Coquard, Nacer Bouhanni and Roman Bardet) as well as big name riders such as Phinney, Degenkolb, Chavanel and Hushovd. This leaves the race to have its only big stars as Nibali as well as Tom Boonen and World Champion Rui Costa. 

But Prudhomme is not put off by the “lack” of stars saying:

"We don't want to think in stereotypes. Of course it's the riders who decide but I vow for more open races. I am convinced we'll see a great race."

Geraint Thomas will now lead Team Sky in the race that is potentially better suited to him than it was to Porte anyway.