So then, the UCI (the sport’s governing body) has decided to reduce the number of riders at DH World Cups. The key line is, “Rationalising the great appeal for Downhill Mountain Bike, it was agreed to reduce the total number of riders at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano.” There are reasons given below in the press release, but this point is interesting, “importantly reduce the wide ability range that currently means some riders are able to access a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup who maybe do not have sufficient experience”. I thought that was what national series were for!?
So I suppose the questions have to be, what will the numbers be reduced to, and what will the criteria be?
UCI PRESS RELEASE
UCI Management Committee agrees key developments for 2016 and beyond
25 September 2015
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Management Committee has today agreed a series of key changes to a number of disciplines to modernise and improve cycling’s organisational structures and to help shape the future of the sport.
Following the two-day meeting which took place during the 2015 UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, USA, the UCI Management Committee approved plans to ensure that all National Federations will be supported in integrating BMX Freestyle Park in their activities in view to ensure the best possible first appearances of the discipline at both the 2017 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships and Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
The UCI Management Committee has also agreed to equalise the overall prize money at the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup for both men and women, starting from 2016. As of 2017, prize monies per World Cup round will also become equitable.
The UCI Management Committee was pleased to hear more about the revitalisation of the UCI Athletes Commission and looked forward to welcoming its President as a member of the UCI Management Committee at its next meeting in January 2016.
Rationalising the great appeal for Downhill Mountain Bike, it was agreed to reduce the total number of riders at the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup presented by Shimano. This will reduce pressure on the course during training, space required from the organisers, a slightly reduced schedule to give some flexibility in the case of stoppages/red flags, and importantly reduce the wide ability range that currently means some riders are able to access a UCI Mountain Bike World Cup who maybe do not have sufficient experience. In the same spirit, the UCI Management Committee approved to increase the UCI Mountain Bike Team annual registration fee.
A revised strategy for track cycling has also been ratified by the UCI Management Committee after consultation amongst National Federations and other stakeholders. This strategy will come into effect after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The UCI Management Committee also approved a project to develop criteria of eligibility for the UCI Hour Record for para-cyclists.
In addition to agreeing on the creation of the UCI Women’s WorldTour [LINK] and discussing the key principles for the reform of men’s professional road cycling [LINK], the UCI Management Committee also approved the following changes to the Regulations of road cycling which will come into effect from 2016:
Article 2.2.024 will allow the use of radio links or other remote means of communication between riders and their teams in the UCI WorldTour, class HC and class 1 events for Elite Men; UCI Women’s WorldTour and class 1 World Cup events for Elite Women; and time trial events;
Article 1.3.024 will authorise the use of onboard cameras without the need for teams and organisers to request permission from the UCI;
The Extreme Weather Protocol [LINK], which was trialled on various races throughout this season will enter fully into UCI Regulations.
In order to give more resonance to mass participation events, the UCI World Cycling Tour will be renamed as the UCI Gran Fondo World Series. The Finals will also be renamed the UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, with the 2017 edition being awarded to the city of Albi, France.
It was also voted the creation of a Commissaires Commission which will oversee the appointment of commissaires to major UCI Championships and the Olympic Games to ensure a more professional and consistent approach to these key appointments
UCI President Brian Cookson said: “The UCI’s mission is to develop the sport of cycling in all of its forms and I am delighted with the way the UCI Management Committee is fulfilling this task. Together we have already made tremendous progress in restoring trust in the UCI and lead change. The decisions made today will take all of our disciplines to another level”.
The next UCI Management Committee meeting will take place in Hasselt (BEL) in January 2016 during the 2016 UCI Cyclo-cross World Championships.
