Bradley Wiggins will be able to ride the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire in Team Wiggins colours, as the UCI confirmed today that it has granted him special dispensation to join the squad in May, allowing him to compete in the three-day event.
As reported on Cycling Weekly yesterday, Wiggins faced not being able to compete for the new UCI Continental-ranked team that bears his name until June 1 following his departure from Team Sky, owing to the governing body’s rules on rider transfers.
However, responding to enquiries from CW, the UCI today confirmed its road commission has permitted Wiggins to complete the change of teams in time for the Tour de Yorkshire’s opening stage on May 1.
A spokesperson said: “The request [for an immediate transfer] came from Sir Bradley Wiggins’ team, with the support of his National Federation. The derogation to article 2.17.007 was approved by the UCI Road Commission.
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“The transfer of Sir Bradley Wiggins will be effective from the day that the official registration bulletin is received by the UCI from the National Federation of the UCI Continental Team Wiggins.”
In 2013, Alessandro Petacchi attempted to join Omega Pharma-Quick Step in May of that season after leaving Lampre-Merida. The UCI blocked this, and only let him make the switch later on in the season during its designated transfer window.
Asked why the UCI allowed Wiggins to change teams, the spokesperson added: “The spirit of the transfer rules are not intended to prevent transfers from Division 1 [WorldTour] to Division 3 [Continental level], as this is an extremely rare occurrence.”
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