UCI, USA Cycling Asked to Meet at Sea Otter, Abolish Non-Sanctioned Race Restriction for Pros

Who needs heroes? This rule crushes the growth of the sport like no other

In 1942 the, “British League Of Racing Cyclists” was formed in rivalry to the, “National Cyclists Union.” The BLRC wanted a more European approach to cycle racing which would include mass-start type races which the NCU opposed.

It’s time that the same thing happened again and all amateur and professional cyclists, road and off road, bicycle manufacturers and race event organisers told the UCI to get f*#ked!

I’ve heard the back channels on the reasons why USAC is ‘supporting’ this rule. From what most of us forget to understand, is that road cycling, xc mtbing, track racing, etc, are all IOC sports (olympic events) – which in order for USAC to maintain funding for national, regional and development programs with the USOC (US olympic committee), they must abide by the UCI’s decrees, which is the recognized global governing body of cycling. Should USAC say “F*** this rule” and heed the voices of the people saying “let the pro’s race” (which are only a few mtb racers on actual UCI trade teams) – USAC would be threatened with losing funding from the USOC for certain events, by their insubordination. Obviously there are tons of other details that go into it, but for the most part, we have to understand that USAC is an extension of our global governing body, the UCI. Think of it like state and federal laws. State can say smoking weed is legal, but the feds still say no. When push comes to shove, if you want to keep your Pro license you worked so hard for, you have to play by the rules of the governing body that gave you that license! Otherwise, be a pro racer that only races non-sanctioned races, and hope for a sponsor to pay you large sums of money racing those races and gain tons of prize money! However, your hopes of making it on one of the larger UCI trade teams and making a sweet salary as a pro are limited. For the rest of us, this rule has very, VERY little effect on the amateur racer.

This just applies to American riders, right?

Reason, USAC is the only federation “enforcing” this rule. Barry Wicks, Pro MTBer called several other cycling unions (Canada, Aus and several Euro countries) and they are not enforcing the rule. USAC is the only one I have heard that are actually enforcing it and preventing them from racing.

I have had the chance to line up with several pro’s and have enjoyed every minute of it. The rule is killing cycling, not helping it.

This is typical UCI, trying to control everything. Probably still sore about the Enduro World Cup. It’s just control for controls sake. They are doing nothing to help the sport grow with these new rules. I propose that the UCI exec members must racing licenses of some level and take part in racing in some form, lets get rid of all the bureaucrats who are there for the sake of politics and put cyclists in charge of governing our sport.

I was pretty sure the Leadville 100 was USAC sanctioned last year…

Most Americans would readily admit that our society is overly-litigious and that our courtrooms are swollen with frivolous lawsuits. But in this case, our legal system may work to our advantage.

USAC has an ‘out’ should they choose to exercise it. By following the UCI rule they’re in violation of the Sherman Act. They’re also on the wrong side of several federal right-to-work laws. If some enterprising athlete or team threatens to sue, or if the Feds get wind of this and elect to pay any attention, USAC will lose.

Full disclosure – I’m not an attorney. But I sure do know a lot of them.

I’m not trying to take sides here, but from what I am hearing, the argument against this rule is that: ‘amateur racers will only attend unsanctioned races if there are UCI licensed professionals racing in the pro category at that event’?

Seriously?

If this rule is going to “kill” our sport. I don’t see it.

Bare in mind that professionals, by definition, do this as a job. There are a lot of things at my job that I can’t do, like wear flip flops, but I still go to work everyday. I like to wear flip flops.

Seems like we are all getting agro and angry for nothing.

Technically as a USAC and UCI licensed mechanic I am not eligible to work for or at these events whether as a volunteer or paid.

That is something that I find absurd and fully support the athletes for fighting against this rule.

This only affects pro’s so not sure why everyone cares so much.

That being said, people need to ask what added value usac brings to the table. orba says “nothing” and I agree. Better insurance…nope… but again. this affects none of us normal racers..

The thing that really bothers me is that if you want to race here in the states you have to have a license unless you want to pay additional fee every race. These fee’s go to the very company that helped lance cover his shit. You don’t want to support such an organization, but you have no choice.

I know a number of people holding USAC pro cards that make less than I do as a bike mechanic.

Rogue, I am in the same boat. Stop limiting my friends and my ability to make a living.

This is further proof that the system is broken and the UCI needs to GFTS.

The only other sport I know of that stops its members competing in smaller events is formula 1. i.e. they no longer go skiing in the winter ,playing local soccer etc. Mainly because they may break something and then cost the team millions. Robert Kubica in f1,went rallying and hit a barrier edge on ,nearly lost his arm and hes had to retire from F1. Maybe your Baseball and “football” players have a similar clause in their contract.
I get the impression that the UCI would like a very Elite group who are above entering anything as low as a club event.But its these type of events that earn a small club a lot of money,to use for Juniors etc.
Dont know if you have sportives in the US but they really are big in the UK. Thousands of riders enter.
We have the END 2 END mountainbike race in the Isle of Man that makes our little club a shed load of cash but we have everyone from Olympic and Elite riders down to 1700 people who just buy a bike and try it out. Hope the UCI dont hear about it!