March 17/11 11:21 am - Pro Teams to Boycott Event Over Radio Ban

Posted by Editoress on 03/17/11
 

The ProTeams have decided to boycott the Tour of Beijing in their ongoing battle with the UCI over the governing body's decision to ban the use of race radios.  All the teams are sending out a statement that they are boycotting this event since it is the one run by the UCI, and will therefore not impact other traditional race organizers.

The text of the statement from the members of the AIGCP (International Association of Professional Cycling Groups):

One of our desires is to help improve the governance of cycling. We cannot be effective in this when we are not allowed to participate in these meetings. Being invited and then removed, in a matter of days, from these meetings, depending on the whim of UCI management is unacceptable. To be clear, the teams remain unified in their stance on the radio issue. Cycling is a team sport and as such,  communication is key for the athletes and the coaches. We continue to hope - and push - for an amicable resolution to this issue.

However, if the use of radios in all professional cycling events is not permitted by May 1st, all of the teams have signed an accord that simply states that we will not participate in the Tour of Beijing, which is the only event in professional cycling that the UCI not only governs, but also promotes. This way we avoid actions that could be damaging for any race organizer that does not have any say or vote in the governance or regulation of the sport or any race that is part of cycling's rich history.

Our objective in this action is to ensure that the people that actively work in field of professional cycling also have a vote in its regulation. Fair, logical, and agreed upon regulations are our goal. We hope the UCI will become our partner in achieving this objective.