The much needed UCI loller thread

[CyclistAbi]

'Paradoxically, the teams didn't accept it' – Teams budget caps not coming to cycling in near future, reveals UCI President

David Lappartient talks cycling's financial state in extensive interview with Ouest-France, also explaining difficulty of future ticketed entry at races

www.cyclingnews.com

I feel that until a Tour winner is paid the same as a top scorer in UEFA Champions League there will always be initiative to do better in term of the finances. As for the future i feel that instead of "Super League" or "franchise system" or similar and worrying about on who can buy a ticket to enter into such competition it's important to copy European football model. That is to develop a strong cycling clubs culture over Europe with die hard fan bases. And such clubs to be able to compete at any rank of cycling competition for as long as they do better then the other "wealthy" teams (cycling clubs). To some extent that will hence need to be financially supported and regulated. Athlete safety is something that will need to get addressed too as currently not a lot of parents would allow their kids to participate in such clubs at a young age due to safety concerns.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

What route do you suggest to a position where there are teams with "die-hard fan bases"?

A survey on this forum suggests that loyalty to a team is a very small element of fan engagement currently: how would the UCI change that?

 

[RedheadDane]

Dunno if it was already mentioned, but seems ASO/UCI (whoever's to blame) has done it, the stupidest thing ever:

12.04

Paris-Roubaix Femmes

Yeah... that's on the Sunday, same day as the men... that's definitely not going to improve the chances for full-race coverage of the women's race.
Also dunno what it'll mean for the U23 and Junior (men's) races.
Or any hope that they'll include U23 and Junior women's races at some point in the - hopefully, not too distant - future.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Dunno if it was already mentioned, but seems ASO/UCI (whoever's to blame) has done it, the stupidest thing ever:

12.04

Paris-Roubaix Femmes

Yeah... that's on the Sunday, same day as the men... that's definitely not going to improve the chances for full-race coverage of the women's race.
Also dunno what it'll mean for the U23 and Junior (men's) races.
Or any hope that they'll include U23 and Junior women's races at some point in the - hopefully, not too distant - future.

All four races appear to be listed for Sunday 12th.
Somebodies going to have get out of bed early.

 

[CyclistAbi]

What route do you suggest to a position where there are teams with "die-hard fan bases"?

A survey on this forum suggests that loyalty to a team is a very small element of fan engagement currently: how would the UCI change that?

Strengthening local cycling clubs network cross Europe, likely there could even be cycling ultras. As currently the focus seems to be only for the top few cycling clubs, most soaking in money and peaking in sports washing. In general it's harder to truly identify with that in terms of a fan base. Especially if not being involved with this sport in any meaningful way and in your local community.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Strengthening local cycling clubs network cross Europe, likely there could even be cycling ultras. As currently the focus seems to be only for the top few cycling clubs, most soaking in money and peaking in sports washing. In general it's harder to truly identify with that in terms of a fan base. Especially if not being involved with this sport in any meaningful way and in your local community.

You have repeated the ambition, and made no attempt to address my question as the route to achieve this.

Who could do what to "Strengthen local cycling clubs network cross Europe" to the point that there "could even be cycling ultras"? Do you have evidence of anyone getting remotely close to such a thing? I struggle to see any vaguely attainable goal in your proposal.


"to copy European football model" one would need what football offers: an event in the locality at least once a fortnight over the course of several months each year, so that the same group of people can build their day around a routine of pre- and post- event "socialisation", and a cultural shift that makes this supporting culture such a deep part of one's identity that becoming submerged in a collective is deeply ingrained.

 

[CyclistAbi]

You have repeated the ambition, and made no attempt to address my question as the route to achieve this.

Who could do what to "Strengthen local cycling clubs network cross Europe" to the point that there "could even be cycling ultras"? Do you have evidence of anyone getting remotely close to such a thing? I struggle to see any vaguely attainable goal in your proposal.

I mean i already wrote that in the original response. Basically UCI should for the most part copy FIFA, it's less then a 200km ride, for Lappartient to visit Čeferin.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

You think FIFA invented the fan culture of football?

What have FIFA done that you think can/should be usefully replicated in cycling that will result in an ultras style support for local teams?

 

[CyclistAbi]

You think FIFA invented the fan culture of football?

Invented no, sustain and develop it, yes. FIFA understands that long term sport sustainability comes from strong local communities involvement in football. You have football clubs in every village and kids are involved from young age. With cycling clubs this is much less developed ATM, often niche. Said that some countries in Europe do better then others. On where with football it's rather OK-ish cross Europe.

What have FIFA done that you think can/should be usefully replicated in cycling that will result in an ultras style support for local teams?

I already wrote that part too.

That is to develop a strong cycling clubs culture over Europe with die hard fan bases. And such clubs to be able to compete at any rank of cycling competition for as long as they do better then the other "wealthy" teams (cycling clubs). To some extent that will hence need to be financially supported and regulated.

And especially this part will need to get sorted out first:

Athlete safety is something that will need to get addressed too as currently not a lot of parents would allow their kids to participate in such clubs at a young age due to safety concerns.

This again is something UCI must take leadership role and address it. Before that forget it.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Invented no, sustain and develop it, yes.

No intention here of going into much on the governance of football, but they really don't.

I already wrote that part too.

You really haven't, but I'm not going to bother asking you for a third time to provide what you apparently cannot understand that you have not provided.

 

[CyclistAbi]

@Armchair Cyclist

OK.

 

[Unchained]

Cycling News front runner.. What we know about cycling supplements! This story should almost be self writing, self published, @99% researched by UCI knowing the overwhelming majority of substances used by teams, down to the brand of jam or peanut butter smeared on bread. UCI should have a long list past and present of supplements, with a special section for ketones, by chemical makeup and a list of all retail brands that they are aware of and ingredient lists. Really? Riders are eating and drinking a bunch of things that are in any way unknown, mysterious? UCI should be working with all pro teams on supplements being used. If you need a UCI sticker on your frame, wheels, handlebars, socks, helmet, cassette, seat, tires you should surely need a UCI label on gels, bars, gummies and powder mixes.

 

[CyclistAbi]

"We are a tool to bring people together, not a tool for sanctions": UCI President addresses the growing politicisation of professional cycling

The Union Cycliste Internationale held its annual WorldTour and Women’s WorldTour seminar on 10 and 11 December in Geneva. As usual, discussions centered around the main challenges professional cyclin...

cyclinguptodate.com

My suggestion would be to get real as nobody is buying it. On top of that be grateful that the issue resolved itself, without the intervention of UCI, intervention that it seems would never come, as otherwise the damage to reputation of cycling would be irreparable, like for example it happened to EBU.

 

[Wyndbrook]

"We are a tool to bring people together, not a tool for sanctions": UCI President addresses the growing politicisation of professional cycling

The Union Cycliste Internationale held its annual WorldTour and Women’s WorldTour seminar on 10 and 11 December in Geneva. As usual, discussions centered around the main challenges professional cyclin...

cyclinguptodate.com

My suggestion would be to get real as nobody is buying it. On top of that be grateful that the issue resolved itself, without the intervention of UCI, intervention that it seems would never come, as otherwise the damage to reputation of cycling would be irreparable, like for example it happened to EBU.

Unfortunately Mr 'ICU 4 votes' president looks like he's in the job for life.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Unfortunately Mr 'ICU 4 votes' president looks like he's in the job for life.

I mean somebody would be there in that position and hence it usually makes sense to not attack that person as an individual but statement and actions, that should always be under some level of scrutiny. Imagine if some former winners of the Tour would return their trophies, due to the actions or better non actions of the head of cycling. How damaging that would be to the reputation of this sport. Hopefully the lesson was learned, although the problem resolved itself and not due to any actions of UCI, next time UCI hence to play more pro active role in resolving such issues, mostly by firmly being aligned with their peace mission. Promotion of peace through the means of sport, that is their core mission. Not money.

 

[Potomac]

Promotion of peace through the means of sport, that is their core mission.

False

Not money.

True

 

[Rob5091]

A look back on UCI's 2025 -
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racin...the-ucis-rules-and-regulation-updates-of-2025

Sadly there isn’t space to cover the UCI’s (no doubt numerous) hits of the year, nor the various race motos that caused crashes, nor the non-race vehicles that blundered onto the course, nor the unpredictable delights of the new yellow-card system, nor time trial helmets in road races, nor indeed the stage of Itzula Basque where Romain Gregoire was awarded second place, then first, then second again.

But rest assured there’ll be plenty more of the same sort of thing in 2026. It’s perhaps the only thing about the coming season that we can be sure of.

 

[CyclistAbi]

A look back on UCI's 2025 -
https://www.cyclingweekly.com/racin...the-ucis-rules-and-regulation-updates-of-2025

Managing riders safety and protestors was indeed executed poorly.

 

[RedheadDane]

Okay, just had a bit of a thought;

After a crash in TDU Kajamini changed his helmet while riding, something which is against the rules, and thus likely to result in a fine.
However, if the alternative was riding along with a broken - and thus useless - helmet, isn't it better to allow riders to change on the bike?

 

[AmRacer]

Okay, just had a bit of a thought;

After a crash in TDU Kajamini changed his helmet while riding, something which is against the rules, and thus likely to result in a fine.
However, if the alternative was riding along with a broken - and thus useless - helmet, isn't it better to allow riders to change on the bike?

You could just get off the bike, changing helmet and then get going again.

 

[Kazistuta]

Okay, just had a bit of a thought;

After a crash in TDU Kajamini changed his helmet while riding, something which is against the rules, and thus likely to result in a fine.
However, if the alternative was riding along with a broken - and thus useless - helmet, isn't it better to allow riders to change on the bike?

It's not really that hard to stop and change the helmet, I'd say.

 

[RedheadDane]

It's not really that hard to stop and change the helmet, I'd say.

You could just get off the bike, changing helmet and then get going again.

But riders don't want to lose any time. So, if the alternative would be having them continue with broken helmets, would it really be so bad to have some sort of system where riders had to ask permission from the commisarires to do a quick helmet change?

 

[AmRacer]

But riders don't want to lose any time. So, if the alternative would be having them continue with broken helmets, would it really be so bad to have some sort of system where riders had to ask permission from the commisarires to do a quick helmet change?

They are stopping for bike change and natural breaks so why not for helmet change

 

[RedheadDane]

They are stopping for bike change and natural breaks so why not for helmet change

They also frequently fix things on their bikes, or pee, while riding.
Of course they have to stop to change bike; changing bike while riding is something I don't think even Van der Poel would try.

It's just a matter of choosing the lesser evil. What's worse:

A rider riding without a helmet for a few seconds?
A rider riding with a broken - useless - helmet?

 

[AmRacer]

They also frequently fix things on their bikes, or pee, while riding.
Of course they have to stop to change bike; changing bike while riding is something I don't think even Van der Poel would try.

It's just a matter of choosing the lesser evil. What's worse:

A rider riding without a helmet for a few seconds?
A rider riding with a broken - useless - helmet?

If both options are illegal, you should stop riding when you need to change helmet.