August 15/06 11:35 am - UCI News

Posted by Editoress on 08/15/06
 

UCI News

• On the initiative of its president, Pat McQuaid, the UCI has decided to appoint a group of internationally respected experts ˆ coaches, doctors, anti-doping experts and sports sociologists ˆ to conduct a comprehensive audit of professional cycling. This group of experts will examine minutely every aspect of cycling, including the international calendar, distance of races, number of rest days and team structures.

According to Pat McQuaid, who addressed the issue at a press conference during the Deutschland Tour, depending on the conclusions of the audit, the UCI rules could be changed from as early as the 2008 season. According to Mr McQuaid, we cannot rule out the possibility of major upheavals in professional cycling.

• The UCI Management Committee has decided to create a Cup of Nations for (male) riders under the age of 23. The new event will be inaugurated in the 2006-2007 season.

The Cup of Nations will include around seven one-day and stage races which are known for the quality of their organisation and the high standard of competition. Organisers of Cup of Nations events will be obliged to invite the best National Federations from each continent, who will be entitled to enter a team of six riders. To this end, on 15 October each year the UCI will publish national rankings for riders under 23. The UCI Cup of Nations for riders under 23 will be presented in detail at a press conference to be held during the UCI Road World Championships in Salzburg, Austria.