USCup 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