Latest news with #UCIRegulations
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Express Tribune
Teams barred from Tour de Romandie
Several major cycling teams were disqualified from the Tour de Romandie Feminin by cycling's governing body UCI before the race even started on Friday after refusing to comply with the rules to test GPS trackers for a new safety system. UCI said Canyon-Sram zondacrypto, EF Education-Oatly, Lidl-Trek, Team Picnic PostNL and Team Visma-Lease a Bike were the teams excluded from the three-stage UCI Women's WorldTour event. "The UCI regrets that certain teams have objected to the test by not nominating a rider to carry the tracking device and have therewith opted to be excluded from the Tour de Romandie Feminin," it said in a statement. "In view of this situation, the UCI shall consider if other measures are warranted in accordance with the UCI Regulations." The 63-gram GPS devices were intended to help UCI refine tracking software and "establish protocols to provide real-time data to race control, medical teams and UCI Commissaires." Each team was required to have one test rider carry the device, with UCI saying details of the test were communicated to all teams last week. The safety initiative takes on added urgency following the death of 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who died from injuries sustained in a crash during the junior women's road race at last year's world championships. The teenager crashed in a wooded area after leaving the road and was found 90 minutes later by a track marshal before being airlifted to hospital. "This system will strengthen the monitoring of rider safety during races and enable rapid response in case of incidents," UCI added. "The initiative is part of the UCI's ongoing efforts to protect rider safety, and broader implementation of this technology is envisaged for coming seasons. UCI said the technology will be deployed at this year's Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, where all riders will carry the device. "It should be noted that most of these teams are part of the Velon organisation which is the owner of its own data transmission system and is working on the development of its own GPS tracking system," it added.
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Express Tribune
Teams disqualified from Women's Tour de Romandie
Several major cycling teams were disqualified from the Tour de Romandie Feminin by cycling's governing body UCI before the race even started on Friday after refusing to comply with the rules to test GPS trackers for a new safety system. UCI said Canyon-Sram zondacrypto, EF Education-Oatly, Lidl-Trek, Team Picnic PostNL and Team Visma-Lease a Bike were the teams excluded from the three-stage UCI Women's WorldTour event. "The UCI regrets that certain teams have objected to the test by not nominating a rider to carry the tracking device and have therewith opted to be excluded from the Tour de Romandie Feminin," it said in a statement. "In view of this situation, the UCI shall consider if other measures are warranted in accordance with the UCI Regulations." The 63-gram GPS devices were intended to help UCI refine tracking software and "establish protocols to provide real-time data to race control, medical teams and UCI Commissaires." Each team was required to have one test rider carry the device, with UCI saying details of the test were communicated to all teams last week. The safety initiative takes on added urgency following the death of 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who died from injuries sustained in a crash during the junior women's road race at last year's world championships. The teenager crashed in a wooded area after leaving the road and was found 90 minutes later by a track marshal before being airlifted to hospital. "This system will strengthen the monitoring of rider safety during races and enable rapid response in case of incidents," UCI added. "The initiative is part of the UCI's ongoing efforts to protect rider safety, and broader implementation of this technology is envisaged for coming seasons. UCI said the technology will be deployed at this year's Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, where all riders will carry the device. "It should be noted that most of these teams are part of the Velon organisation which is the owner of its own data transmission system and is working on the development of its own GPS tracking system," it added.
The Star
5 days ago
- The Star
Cycling-Teams disqualified from Women's Tour de Romandie in row over UCI's GPS trackers
(Reuters) -Several major cycling teams were disqualified from the Tour de Romandie Feminin by cycling's governing body UCI before the race even started on Friday after refusing to comply with the rules to test GPS trackers for a new safety system. UCI said Canyon-Sram zondacrypto, EF Education-Oatly, Lidl-Trek, Team Picnic PostNL and Team Visma-Lease a Bike were the teams excluded from the three-stage UCI Women's WorldTour event. "The UCI regrets that certain teams have objected to the test by not nominating a rider to carry the tracking device and have therewith opted to be excluded from the Tour de Romandie Feminin," it said in a statement. "In view of this situation, the UCI shall consider if other measures are warranted in accordance with the UCI Regulations." The 63-gram GPS devices were intended to help UCI refine tracking software and "establish protocols to provide real-time data to race control, medical teams and UCI Commissaires." Each team was required to have one test rider carry the device, with UCI saying details of the test were communicated to all teams last week. The safety initiative takes on added urgency following the death of 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who died from injuries sustained in a crash during the junior women's road race at last year's world championships. The teenager crashed in a wooded area after leaving the road and was found 90 minutes later by a track marshal before being airlifted to hospital. "This system will strengthen the monitoring of rider safety during races and enable rapid response in case of incidents," UCI added. "The initiative is part of the UCI's ongoing efforts to protect rider safety, and broader implementation of this technology is envisaged for coming seasons. UCI said the technology will be deployed at this year's Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, where all riders will carry the device. "It should be noted that most of these teams are part of the Velon organisation which is the owner of its own data transmission system and is working on the development of its own GPS tracking system," it added. 'SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED' In a joint statement, affected teams said they were "shocked and disappointed" by UCI's decision, adding that they had sent formal letters raising concerns about the "unilateral imposition of a GPS tracking device to just one of the riders" on each team. "We made clear that we would not select a rider ourselves, nor install, remove, or maintain the device," they said. "The UCI or its partner was free to select a rider and install the device at their own liability if they believe they are in their right to do so." The teams added that they already had a "proven and collaborative safety tracking system" in place. "The reason why they don't want to nominate a rider themselves is still unknown and unanswered," they added. "Despite multiple requests by the teams over the last two days, the UCI commissaires were unable to demonstrate on the basis of which precise UCI rule teams are obligated to discriminate one rider against other riders in terms of obligations. "This action disregards the rights of teams and riders, applies the measure in a discriminatory manner, and contradicts the UCI's own stated commitment to dialogue with stakeholders." (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Pritha Sarkar)
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Straits Times
Teams disqualified from Women's Tour de Romandie in row over UCI's GPS trackers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Several major cycling teams were disqualified from the Tour de Romandie Feminin by cycling's governing body UCI before the race even started on Friday after refusing to comply with the rules to test GPS trackers for a new safety system. UCI said Canyon-Sram zondacrypto, EF Education-Oatly, Lidl-Trek, Team Picnic PostNL and Team Visma-Lease a Bike were the teams excluded from the three-stage UCI Women's WorldTour event. "The UCI regrets that certain teams have objected to the test by not nominating a rider to carry the tracking device and have therewith opted to be excluded from the Tour de Romandie Feminin," it said in a statement. "In view of this situation, the UCI shall consider if other measures are warranted in accordance with the UCI Regulations." The 63-gram GPS devices were intended to help UCI refine tracking software and "establish protocols to provide real-time data to race control, medical teams and UCI Commissaires." Each team was required to have one test rider carry the device, with UCI saying details of the test were communicated to all teams last week. The safety initiative takes on added urgency following the death of 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who died from injuries sustained in a crash during the junior women's road race at last year's world championships. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Asia Sun Haiyan, ex-China ambassador to S'pore, detained for questioning: Sources Singapore Love that saves lives: Seniors in Singapore overcome challenges to donate organs Singapore Over 600 orchids on display at Gardens by the Bay to mark 60 years of Singapore-Malaysia ties Singapore Father of 4 among S'poreans arrested in CNB raids; drugs worth over $128k seized The teenager crashed in a wooded area after leaving the road and was found 90 minutes later by a track marshal before being airlifted to hospital. "This system will strengthen the monitoring of rider safety during races and enable rapid response in case of incidents," UCI added. "The initiative is part of the UCI's ongoing efforts to protect rider safety, and broader implementation of this technology is envisaged for coming seasons. UCI said the technology will be deployed at this year's Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, where all riders will carry the device. "It should be noted that most of these teams are part of the Velon organisation which is the owner of its own data transmission system and is working on the development of its own GPS tracking system," it added. 'SHOCKED AND DISAPPOINTED' In a joint statement, affected teams said they were "shocked and disappointed" by UCI's decision, adding that they had sent formal letters raising concerns about the "unilateral imposition of a GPS tracking device to just one of the riders" on each team. "We made clear that we would not select a rider ourselves, nor install, remove, or maintain the device," they said. "The UCI or its partner was free to select a rider and install the device at their own liability if they believe they are in their right to do so." The teams added that they already had a "proven and collaborative safety tracking system" in place. "The reason why they don't want to nominate a rider themselves is still unknown and unanswered," they added. "Despite multiple requests by the teams over the last two days, the UCI commissaires were unable to demonstrate on the basis of which precise UCI rule teams are obligated to discriminate one rider against other riders in terms of obligations. "This action disregards the rights of teams and riders, applies the measure in a discriminatory manner, and contradicts the UCI's own stated commitment to dialogue with stakeholders." REUTERS
Reuters
03-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
CYCLING UCI hit with EU antitrust complaint over sanctions for cycling in rival events
BRUSSELS, March 3 (Reuters) - Cycling's governing body the UCI has been hit with an EU antitrust complaint by a Scottish father on behalf of his 18-year-old son and bike trial rider regarding its allegedly anti-competitive practices and sanctions against riders taking part in rival events. The complaint filed to the European Commission on Feb. 21 underscores the growing trend by athletes to take their grievances about governing bodies' power to EU antitrust enforcers on competition grounds. The complaint alleged that UCI abuses its dominant position and that its rules breach EU competition rules by allegedly shutting out rivals and that its sanctions are disproportionate especially for children. It urged the EU watchdog to order UCI to halt its alleged anti-competitive practices. The issue started in 2022 when UCI sent letters to riders and national federations to discourage bike trials riders from taking part in non-UCI events in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK, the complaint seen by Reuters said. The letters were sent just before the BikeTrial International Union's(BIU) European Championships. BIU is an independent entity which manages bike trial events. Under UCI rules, riders participating in rival events could face fines up to 100,000 Swiss francs ($111,470) and banned from UCI events. David Johnson said his son, a bike trial competitive cyclist who had been planning to take part in a non-UCI event, received such a letter and that recipients included children as young as 8-years-old. "No child should be forced to choose between participating in the sport they love and their future in elite competition," Johnson, who is being advised by law firm White & Case on a pro-bono basis, said. "UCI should end these unfair and unjustifiable restrictions which undermine its values of widening access to cycling and inclusion," he said. The EU competition enforcer declined to comment. UCI said it has not been notified of any complaints or legal proceedings regarding its rules about licence-holders' participation in non-sanctioned events. "UCI Regulations concerning the authorisation of events benefit organisers and riders of all levels by guaranteeing standards for the organisation of events (e.g. technical, safety, anti-doping and other integrity-related rules) within an organised calendar in a transparent manner," the sports governing body said in an email. "The UCI is confident that the associated rules applicable to license-holders fully comply with competition law." Europe's top court in a landmark ruling in 2023 said the International Skating Union cannot penalise speed skaters for competing in new money-spinning events in a case triggered by complaints by two Dutch Olympic speed skaters to the Commission. ($1 = 0.8971 Swiss francs)
