Cycling’s governing body says it has struck a deal with the operators of the Tour de France to settle a yearslong dispute that has led to a string of court cases.

Pat McQuaid, president of the International Cycling Union, said Monday there will be a new ranking system for riders, teams and nations starting in 2011. That system will determine which teams must be invited to compete in the Tour, the world’s most prestigious cycle race.

The Tour de France will become a UCI event again. The UCI’s ProTour competition will continue.

The discussions were held under the auspices of the International Olympic Committee and were mediated by IOC member Jean-Claude Killy.

The Amaury Group, owner of the Tour de France organizer, was not immediately available to comment.