The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) have no plans to cover participation allowances in October's Team Time Trial World Championships, a decision that has forced WorldTour teams to warn that they will skip the race in protest.
The Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionals (AIGCP) announced on Wednesday that an "overwhelming majority" of its WorldTour members had voted to boycott the race in Doha, Qatar because teams are not provided a participation allowance to cover costs of racing, a bursary awarded in every other top-tier race.
The AIGCP say that expecting teams to compete in the TTT at entirely their own expense is an "abuse of power" by the UCI and they wouldn't reverse their decision unless changes were made by the governing body.
>>> Pro cycling group in disagreement with UCI over WorldTour press release
However, in a statement to Cycling Weekly, the UCI refused to address the issue of making changes and insisted that all 18 WorldTour teams are expected to attend.
"The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is of course disappointed with such a statement and we continue to expect excellent participation in this year's UCI Road World Championships Team Time Trial.
"The UCI Road World Championships is a celebration for the whole cycling family and the UCI, as a non-profit organisation, reinvests any surpluses in the development of the sport of cycling."
The TTT is the only event at the Worlds in which trade teams compete. BMC Racing have won each of the last two editions.
-
-
Best turbo trainers: smart and standard turbos reviewed and rated
If you're after an indoor trainer, here's our guide to every type of turbo on the market
By Cycling Weekly •
-
Tweets of the week: Jeremy Clarkson shouting at Charlie Quarterman and Tadej Pogačar selling sandwiches
Another very normal week in the world of cycling
By Jonny Long •
-
Women’s WorldTour rider salaries increase by 25 per cent, according to UCI
One year after Women’s WorldTeams were introduced, the governing body praises ‘positive impact on women riders’
By Alex Ballinger •
-
UCI publishes images clarifying banned rider positions
Cycling's governing body has published explanations for the raft of new safety measures being introduced in 2021, including barriers and rubbish disposal
By Jonny Long •
-
Tell us: What are your thoughts on the UCI banning the supertuck and forearms on the handlebars position?
Cycling’s international governing body has banned the ‘supertuck’ position and the forearms on handlebars pose, which offer an aerodynamic advantage to any rider adopting these riding styles.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'The UCI should care about things that need more urgent attention than this': Riders react to new ban on forearms time trial position
The UCI have introduced a series of new rules with some being met with quite a bit of opposition from riders
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
UCI celebrates anti-doping decision to ban all use of a corticosteroid type
The UCI is celebrating the anti-doping decision to ban all use of a corticosteroid type in competition from next year.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Nils Eekhoff’s appeal over Yorkshire under-23 disqualification thrown out by court
Nils Eekhoff’s attempts to appeal his disqualification from the Yorkshire World Championship under-23 race has been thrown out by a sporting court.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Cyclocross World Championships can go ahead with stricter coronavirus measures, UCI says
The Cyclocross World Championships will be going ahead with stricter coronavirus measures, the UCI has announced.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
New standard to be introduced for barriers in final kilometre of races
The UCI has announced a number of measures to improve rider safety in 2021
By Jonny Long •
