Professional cyclists' agents are to come under closer scrutiny, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced on Friday.
The UCI's Management Committee convened in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday where it was decided to introduce tighter controls over who can become an agent to look after riders' interests.
Traditionally, agents act as mediator between riders and existing or prospective teams to get the best deal for riders. With the best riders' fees rising due to demand, and the potential for unscrupulous parties to take advantage of the situation, new rules governing agents have been long overdue.
Several teams have recently had riders poached by other squads with little regard to existing contracts, and part of the blame has been apportioned to 'rogue' agents with scant regard to existing transfer etiquette.
The UCI has stipulated that agents will now have to sit exams during 2011. If they pass, they will be awarded a UCI riders' agent certificate which they will hold for four years.
UCI certified agents must then obtain a specific licence to act as a riders' agent from their national cycling federation.
All riders' agents must have passed the UCI exam, obtained a certificate and licence by January 1 2012.
The UCI will publish a list of registered and approved agents on its website.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Bikes of the Atlas Mountain Race 2023: from comfort gravellers to speed weapons, here’s what caught our eye
Covering 1,300km / 800mi of Morocco’s gravel roads and mountain passes, the Atlas Mountain Race demands a tech-heavy approach for its 3+ days of bikepacking racing
-
British champion Cameron Mason hoping for rain at Cyclo-cross World Championships
British national champion says patience will be the key in what’s expected to be a fast race in Hoogerheide, the Netherlands
