The UCI has called on cycling stakeholders, including riders, teams, and race organisers to come together to work on reforms to the structure of professional cycling.
In a letter signed by the UCI president, David Lappartient made reference to failed initiatives to reform the sport in the past as said “there is no other way” other than to sit down at the UCI table.
Tuesday’s letter, sent with the subject header ‘Reform of Professional Cycling’, was addressed to the presidents of the teams association (AIGCP), the race organisers’ association (AIOCC), the riders’ association (CPA), and the various national federations.
Lappartient started out by highlighting cycling’s historic beauty and areas of recent success, notably the growth of women’s cycling and the internationalisation of the sport. However, he soon acknowledged significant shortcomings when it comes to the overall economics of the sport.
The One Cycling shadow
Lappartient’s letter comes in the wake of the wrangling over the One Cycling project, a Saudi-backed plan to conjure a new structure of the racing calendar and distribution of revenues. One Cycling has been the latest in a long line of attempts to explore a new economic vision for the sport, particularly by the teams, who routinely struggle for long-term financial stability.
Last year, the UCI shot down One Cycling, saying it was “incompatible with the governance and regulatory framework of the UCI as well as lacking sporting coherence.” Lappartient’s letter on Tuesday didn’t make reference to One Cycling but his feelings at the project taking shape behind the back of the UCI were evident.
“Meanwhile, various discussions on the future of our sport have taken place, and certain stakeholders have launched initiatives aimed at reforming professional road cycling. These initiatives were either abandoned after a few years or failed to come to fruition,” Lappartient said.
“The…
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