Tag Archives: rules

NABRA Hopes to Compete With USA Cycling

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nabraAn Oregon-based group has launched the North American Bicycle Racing Association, or NABRA, born out of the frustration with UCI/USAC’s restrictions even before the recent rule clarification. Current focus appears, for now, to be on Cyclocross, Oregon Bicycling Racing Association events and other races with which OBRA has some familiarity. But the hope appears to be that this will expand and stand as a legitimate alternative to USA Cycling and the UCI.

“It was basically a reaction to the first time they came to us and said they would no longer allow dual-sanctioned races or permit UCI-licensed pros to compete in our races here in Oregon,” explained [Kenji] Sugahara, “…our membership loves what OBRA does here in Oregon, we create a lot of value for our customer, we have a good product and a good community, and that is something we feel we can produce across the whole country.”

Get the full story here.

UCI Postpones Enforcement of Rule 1.2.019 until 2014

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cyclingnews1Racers and promotors will have 8 months before the UCI will start enforcing rule 1.2.019 but issues what Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski referred to as a “veiled threat” that enforcement will commence in 2014.

CyclingNews reported the news this morning.

“The UCI has decided to postpone strict enforcement of rule 1.2.019 in 2013 with the expectation that all stakeholders (National Federations, race directors, teams and riders) will discuss and do what is necessary to prepare for the rule’s full enforcement in 2014.”

Promoter Mike McCormack, who puts on the Breck Epic mountain bike stage race posted on Facebook, “… We will NOT be dictated to by the UCI or USAC. Now, in 2014 or ever.”

Get the full story here.

USA Cycling Tells CyclingNews Riders Should Contact UCI

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cyclingnews1In this interview via CyclingNews, USA Cycling attempts to address the hoopla over 1.2.019. In the end, their position seems to be that they have to enforce it and elude to no attempt to advocate for exceptions to UCI. In fact, the much debated “exceptions” would appear to be far narrower. It doesn’t appear, from where I’m sitting, there would be very many mountain bike event that would receive such an exception.

USA Cycling appears to rather be pushing that events pay the permit fee and get sanctioned and questions promoters’ reasons for not doing so:

“The only reasons not to sanction an event with USA Cycling are if the organizer is: 1) under-insuring the volunteers and/or participants, 2) avoiding the requirement to have USA Cycling licensed officials at the event and the athlete protection policies they enforce or 3) avoiding the USA Cycling RaceClean program.”

Certainly not a diplomatic response. The insurance angle appears to be the bait USAC thinks will lure promoters but doubling the sale with a veiled threat isn’t going to be received well.

See the full interview here.