UCI postpones enforcement of rule 1.2.019

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USA Cycling is backtracking. Well, no shit…

A February letter from UCI President Pat McQuaid to USA Cycling made it clear that rule 1.2.019, which prohibits all UCI licensed riders from competing in events that are not sanctioned by a national federation, should not only apply to riders on UCI-registered teams, as a USA Cycling spokesman previously told Cyclingnews, but to all riders who hold a UCI license. According to the rules, athletes who participate in a “forbidden race” can be fined by their national federation and/or suspended up to 30 days.

McQuaid clarified in his March 26th letter to all national federations that “Article 1.2.019 applies to all license holders, without exception. It does not solely concern professional riders or just the members of UCI teams, contrary to certain statements in the press and on some blogs.”

In an about turn on Thursday, the UCI flipped its position and said, “The UCI listened to the feedback from the various groups involved and who feel affected by a strict and immediate enforcement of rule 1.2.019 and its associated sanctions. 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.”

USA Cycling said the change came after it had engaged in dialogue with the UCI. “Notwithstanding the fact that rule 1.2.019 has been enforced in Europe for many years, it is clear strict enforcement in the US and other countries will have unintended and undesirable consequences,” said Steve Johnson, USA Cycling President & CEO.

“USA Cycling listened to the views expressed by the cycling community in America, and these issues were fully represented in discussions with the UCI. We would like to thank the UCI for its willingness to suspend enforcement of the rule globally to allow time for productive dialogue with all stakeholders to find a workable solution for the future.”
source: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-postpone-enforcement-of-rule-1-2-019

Hey USA Cycling, listen to this:

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