Tag Archives: UCI

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.

Sho-Air International Takes Stand Against USAC/UCI Rule

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USAC1From Facebook to blogs amateurs, pros, and fans have been lighting up the Internet voicing their disapproval of the UCI clarification on rule 1.2.019  which bars UCI licensee’s from competing in non-sanctioned events. Team Sho-Air / Cannondale announced today that a full roster of riders from are being sent to participate at the Whiskey 50, a non-sanctioned event!

“We have had hundreds of phone calls, e-mails and Facebook posts regarding this issue by fans, friends and fellow riders stating their discontent and asking for help. We have always done our best to support USAC by permitting…I have spent countless hours trying to negotiate a solution for all parties involved regarding this issue to no avail. The time has come to take a stand and lead by example, as this issue will affect us all, not only the Professional rider, but the Master and Junior amateur rider as well, that just want to race their bikes and have fun. We also are supporting the promoter’s right to choose not to sanction with USA Cycling. Freedom of choice is a right that must be protected.” – Sho-Air Company President and CEO, R. Scott Tedro

Read the entire press release here.

 

Mountain Bike Radio’s “The Dirt” Hosts Pro Discussion Over USAC/UCI Clarification

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USAC1Check out Friday’s edition of The Dirt over on Mountain Bike Radio! Drew and guests discuss USA Cycling’s statement on Friday clarifying their stance on the UCI Rule 1.2.019

Drew is joined by Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Macky Franklin to cohost the discussion. Listen in to hear what the pros, who are affected by the decision, are thinking.

Also:

Justin Lindine and Scott Tedro called in during the show to discuss what is going on, what can be done, and more.

 

UCI Clamps Down on “Forbidden Races”

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Forbid2USCup Racing reported today on their Facebook page that the UCI has released a clarification on “forbidden races.”

We received this mandate from the UCI regarding forbidden races and rule 1.2.019. They now clarify ALL license holders are now subject to fines and suspension for attending any “Non Sanctioned” events, regardless if they are on a UCI team or not. We are also told this applies to any Amateur holding a USAC license.

Scott Tedro later posted:

“The key sentence in the UCI statement is “A national federation may grant special exceptions for races or particular events run in its own country.” This is not the UCI, this is in fact the USAC is trying to force promoters to use their product…

He intends to review this clarification with his legal team.

USA Cycling has chimed in as well and as Tedro notes, their answer seems to be to encourage promotors and racers join USAC.

A bigger question is that does this mean for pro-riders who want to race non-UCI and non-USAC races? With so many series like NUE, USCup, and many other events drawing pro-riders this could have a chilling effect on race promotion.

So far, people aren’t taking kindly to UCI or USAC. Cyclocross Magazine posted the clarification and notes the impact on their events. Comments are coming in:

CXMagazine.com:
twohandmath: Bike racing existed before USAC/UCI, exists without them, and will continue to do so. While there is value in national and international federations regulating the sport at the highest level, they’ve done a real poor job at that the last 20 years or so, and lose credibility in all aspects.

Facebook:
Allen Ball: A good move to reduce UCI membership roles. Arrogance will be it’s own reward.

And even Bicycling Magazine is tweeting that this is “bad news:”

@BicyclingMag
Bad news UCI license holders & non-USAC events: RT @USACycling Clarification from@UCI_cycling on rule 1.2.019: http://bit.ly/10zvEnI