The much needed UCI loller thread

[CyclistAbi]

Regardless of the correct method, it's ridiculous they went for disqualification. That's just bullying--as in "don't you challenge us or we'll show you." It would be like sending out armored SWAT teams for minor traffic violations. Oh wait, that is a thing now.

One has to understand that when it comes to safety in pro peloton and especially lately involving governing bodies being forced to finally do something, well, they are still wet behind the ears.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Safety in the spotlight: Are the UCI's new rules doing more harm than good?

2025 has seen the UCI introduce and propose a number of changes aimed at making professional cycling safer, but many of their ideas have attracted major backlash. Cyclingnews investigates the initiatives and issues at play to see if the UCI is looking in the right places…

www.cyclingnews.com

Indeed, the climate has changed, public only now started to question implemented measures, governing bodies will now need some hard data to prove efficiency of the measures taken. PR pamphlets won't do it any more. It's similar on where doping came into spotlight and reluctant governing bodies were being forced to act, or else.

 

[Unchained]

UCI rider safety training..

View: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/BLCTvXWq6vA

 

[Wyndbrook]

Too many young riders are are dieing in crashes, another yesterday.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Unfortunately this sport is plagued with crashes, resulting injuries and frequent deaths. Instead of trying to address this and reduce it all we get is arrogance. People in charge of this sport need to change their ways and become more pro safety orientated with data backing that up or to leave this sport if they are unable to achieve that. Currently this is No.1 task to address in pro peloton, this won't change any time soon, and we are failing to address it in any meaningful way.

 

[ice&fire]

This was posted on the thread of the last Vuelta stage, but it belongs here:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1965794240291848254

Today's UCI follow up on the Vuelta non-finish:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967620334322057433

View: https://x.com/UCI_media/status/1967620334322057433

 

[theyoungest]

Wow, how to make an already bad situation even worse. The UCI have truly outdone themselves with this statement. I almost can't believe it, how tonedeaf are these people.

 

[Berniece]

It's very difficult not to make this a discussion about politics. This statement is laughable.

The UCI strongly condemns the exploitation of sport for political purposes in general, and especially coming from a government.

 

[CyclistAbi]

'The UCI sets the rules' - Vuelta a España organiser describe protests as 'unacceptable' but insists they could not expel the Israel-Premier Tech team

UCI condemns Spanish government for "exploitation of sport for political purposes"

www.cyclingnews.com

Yeah, reading this UCI acts like they have no responsibility whatsoever, on when it comes to dealing with actual problems, for them it seems it's all fine. All they did is they condemned the protestors and now politicians and that i guess is that for them.

For sure.

 

[HashRouge]

It's very difficult not to make this a discussion about politics. This statement is laughable.

I rolled my eyes so hard at this. I can't even cope.

 

[Tim Cahill]

For some reason the UCI under selfie always reminded me of all those cartoons we studied in high school about the League of Nations inept responses to various international crises in the 1920s and 30s.

I honestly don't even know where to begin with that one, good to know they're against sport being used as a political tool though, best tell half the World Tour teams they need to find new sponsors, and get Paul Kagame on the phone tell him the WCs are cancelled.

 

[Berniece]

It's obviously ironic, but why is it so laughable to question the Spanish government, and especially their PM's, antics from the last few days? They way they handled it is at least as bad as the UCI did.

I find it laughable that they say: "condemns the exploitation of sport for political purposes". The sport is literally filled with sportwashing, and we have a WC in Rwanda starting next week. I had a part in my thread on WC ITT about it, but it was removed.

 

[Rou]

I wish people could see past "this specific issue" and think more about the precedent this all sets for all other issues, ones which they support or don't.

Cycling has always been dependant on the 'good will' of spectators. In the TDF Geraint Thomas was pepper sprayed when some farmers blocked a stage in 2018.
Hopefully things calm down but the UCI is not doing itself any favours with their actions or lack of actions.

 

[red_flanders]

Cycling has always been dependant on the 'good will' of spectators. In the TDF Geraint Thomas was pepper sprayed when some farmers blocked a stage in 2018.

Sure. And people threw urine on Armstrong. Not great. But this doesn't mean the sport can't do a lot more than was done at the Vuelta to control the finishes, and other spaces during the race. Strong presence by officials and police will have a deterring effect.

Hopefully things calm down but the UCI is not doing itself any favours with their actions or lack of actions.

Despite some laughable hypocrisy around politics and sport and some comedy about the race security in Spain, I'm OK with their stance. I don't want them to do anything but support race organizers to hold races. And make them safe. And complete. That's their mandate, not having a debate about whatever political issue each year brings.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Despite some laughable hypocrisy around politics and sport and some comedy about the race security in Spain, I'm OK with their stance. I don't want them to do anything but support race organizers to hold races. And make them safe. And complete. That's their mandate, not having a debate about whatever political issue each year brings.

The problem is they want to have it both ways. They were all too happy to enter into the politics and sport arena when the winds of public opinion made it an easy PR win, but when the subject is more complicated than that, they are trying to act like they never set a precedent and pass the buck, then throw others under the bus for not coming up with an impossible solution after giving them a poisoned chalice and offering little to no guidance.

 

[red_flanders]

The problem is they want to have it both ways. They were all too happy to enter into the politics and sport arena when the winds of public opinion made it an easy PR win, but when the subject is more complicated than that, they are trying to act like they never set a precedent and pass the buck, then throw others under the bus for not coming up with an impossible solution after giving them a poisoned chalice and offering little to no guidance.

Yes, the hypocrisy mentioned.

For the rest, I’ve said it more times than people want to hear. Want to have a race, Vuelta organizers? Police it. Getting all the benefit of an event like a GT, then throwing a team under the bus when it gets complicated is also hypocrisy.

 

[houtdffan]

Yes, the hypocrisy mentioned.

For the rest, I’ve said it more times than people want to hear. Want to have a race, Vuelta organizers? Police it. Getting all the benefit of an event like a GT, then throwing a team under the bus when it gets complicated is also hypocrisy.

This isnt a UCI problem, its a Guillen problem

the problem is for the second time in 3 years, Guillen has ran a cluster you know what.

It's time for the director du cyclisme, Prudhomme, to fire Guillen and hire a competent race director. Guillen has proven beyond a reasonable doubt, he cannot organize a bike race.

As much as I detest Gouvenou, he at least knows how to properly deal with protestors

 

[Rackham]

This isnt a UCI problem, its a Guillen problem

the problem is for the second time in 3 years, Guillen has ran a cluster you know what.

It's time for the director du cyclisme, Prudhomme, to fire Guillen and hire a competent race director. Guillen has proven beyond a reasonable doubt, he cannot organize a bike race.

As much as I detest Gouvenou, he at least knows how to properly deal with protestors

We're skirting politics here but come on, you can't be so harsh on Guillén. He's trying to organize and execute a 3 week bike race around the country with law enforcement doing what little then can with what little they have - [content deleted]

It's not possible for one man to operate an event in such an environment.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Beyond the funny hypocrisy, is this really the best way to deal with the protests? Take a 'we don't negotiate either terrorists' position? The situation needs to be defused and/or have the tension lowered, is this the response that's most effective to do that?

UCI is in no such position, to take such stance, this isn't a Hollywood movie. All they do is put riders at risk.

You are correct. The UCI with such a stupid statement can only enrage more people.
Yesterday in GP Montreal several people were arrested. There was Cavalry police sent to protect the race.
Is this the way going forward? Treating big cycling races like High alert events with possibility of violence?

Obviously not, cycling can't afford such bad public image, especially considering it's already plagued with crashes, injuries and worse.

I wish people could see past "this specific issue" and think more about the precedent this all sets for all other issues, ones which they support or don't.

Precedent was set by UCI in 2022.

Police it.

Not possible and it won't happen.

This isnt a UCI problem, its a Guillen problem

Currently only UCI can expel a team from peloton, no other party can do that. Although i feel that such authority UCI has is now servery weakened. Riders for example already started to make up rules, like first strike and we are out and organiser for Vuelta 2026 already started with conditioning stages in terms of IPT participating. So all in all UCI will be forced to act on it, otherwise cycling as a system won't work any more and basically they will be governing nothing.

 

[CyclistAbi]

“Say something!” – Maarten Ducrot criticizes UCI silence on Israel-Premier Tech and Vuelta a España protests

Former Dutch professional cyclist and television commentator Maarten Ducrot has strongly criticized the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) for its silence and lack of leadership regarding Israel-Prem...

cyclinguptodate.com

A lot of people in general seem to be saying the same thing. Things like why is UCI having double standards and what is up with the lack of leadership and silence. Valid questions.

 

[houtdffan]

We're skirting politics here but come on, you can't be so harsh on Guillén. He's trying to organize and execute a 3 week bike race around the country with law enforcement doing what little then can with what little they have - meanwhile the Spanish government was actively encouraging the protests and using them for political pressure on the race and some of its participants.

It's not possible for one man to operate an event in such an environment.

If this were the first instance, he could get a pass. Not when it's the second time in 3 years where we have had failure after failure. That starts to be a pattern

 

[CyclistAbi]

@houtdffan

Organiser can't expel a team due to increased safety concerns, this was already explained.

 

[houtdffan]

@houtdffan

Organiser can't expel a team due to increased safety concerns, this was already explained.

Its not expelling a team. Its the stuff like not stopping the peloton well before incidents, uncoordinated finish lines etc

 

[CyclistAbi]

Its not expelling a team. Its the stuff like not stopping the peloton well before incidents, uncoordinated finish lines etc

Here actually the organiser should be praised, organiser had no means to stop the protests or for them to take measures to de-escalate.

Innovating with hide and seek approach, that is finishing the stage somewhere else and not in the center of protests, and cancelling a stage altogether, before serious safety related incidents affecting the riders.

I don't know on how this could be perceived negatively. If they would act like UCI and just send riders in the midst of it, then the outcome would likely be bad and the organiser would indeed need to take some responsibility for it.

 

[Unchained]

Wow, how to make an already bad situation even worse. The UCI have truly outdone themselves with this statement. I almost can't believe it, how tonedeaf are these people.

Just some bike racing basics.. The UCI certified the race officials. The UCI has standards for race course conditions including road width, all in the rules.
If the riders or race organization decide that they think that @4 kilo bikes should be permitted because they all agree.. UCI race officials ,however unpopular have to enforce the rules.
If race organizers know there is flooding, trees across the road, avalanche or landslide possibilities but along with teams and riders agree to gamble, mutual agreement on risk..
The UCI officials are supposed to be the reasonable mind and say no.
If there are reports of animal attacks, loose sheep, cows, horses out on the race course, wildfire, chemical spill, derailed train.. Riders and race organization can all say, who cares let's go for it..
The UCI officials are there as neutral, clear thinkers.. No dog in the fight and say no to risky racing.. It's in the rules.
So in this case, really, really clear.. If UCI cancelled the race.. Maybe an overreaction.
When the first protest happened they needed to react, straightforward, simple.. That happened, can't happen again,
what is the plan so it won't happen for remaining stages.
When Romo went to the deck, smashing on the pavement.. That stage is over, neutralize it until riders can stop.
UCI played Russian roulette with riders safety, not riders, teams or organization.. They all have different interests in the race continuing, UCI is supposed to have minimum safety criteria.. Riders attacked on the road is below minimum safety.. It's absolutely ridiculous that it's even posed like this.. UCI says we are pulling officiating team, we can't oversee a race with this much potential danger.
UCI can't even figure out their responsibility.. Was it to riders, officials their safety? Was it to legacy of Grand Tour..you remember back in 2025 when Joe Something was knocked off his bike and died from a protester.
Javier Romo is an easy example..he is Spanish.. Rides for Spanish team, was in Spanish Grand Tour..team in greatest controversy.. Has no Spanish riders.
Romo didn't go down after direct attack from protester..that goon tripping and taking a tumble, Romo knocked down and ultimately out of the race by a police officer trying to intervene. How many more times did the UCI need before race was determined unsafe? Funny that Almeida getting testy with Tom Pidcock.." Grow a pair!".. That is exactly what I would say to chief official at the race, the entire UCI team proved that they don't know right from wrong.
Dear UCI..if a ten year old asks for the car keys, you say no..not are you up for it? It's going to be risky.. UCI had multiple close calls that they just ignored and caved to pressure.. Didn't want to be the bad guys..