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UCI Clarifies Rule on Unsanctioned Races

Apr 5, 2013
by Mike Kazimer  
The UCI has issued a statement regarding Rule 1.2.019, which deals with UCI licensed racers participating in unsanctioned races. This rule was examined in last month's article, but the statement closes what had seemed to be a loophole that would allow UCI licensed riders not on a UCI team to participate in unsanctioned events. USA Cycling posted the statement up today, along with the acknowledgement that they would be complying with the ruling, but would waive the permit fee for race organizers seeking to have their pre-existing races sanctioned.

To reiterate, the rule states,
bigquotesNo licence holder may participate in an event that has not been included on a national, continental or world calendar or that has not been recognised by a national federation, a continental confederation or the UCI.

A national federation may grant special exceptions for races or particular events run in its own country.

At first, it seemed like national federations could use the second part of the ruling to easily grant exceptions, allowing UCI licensed racers to participate in unsanctioned events without repercussion. However, the statement from the UCI makes it clear that this is not the case, and says,
bigquotesThe objective of Article 1.2.019 is that exemptions should only be granted in exceptional cases. Licence holders who participate in a "forbidden race" make themselves liable not only to sanctions by their National Federation, as scheduled by Article 1.2.021 of the UCI regulations, but also run the risk of not having sufficient insurance cover in the event of an accident.

With that potential workaround closed, what about the theory that racers not on UCI teams wouldn't need to worry about the rule? At one point, USA Cycling Director of Communications Bill Kellick said that the ruling "does not affect mountain bike pro riders who are NOT on UCI-registered teams." That's no longer the case the case, and according to the UCI,
bigquotesArticle 1.2.019 applies to all licence holders, without exception. It does not solely concern professional riders or just the members of UCI teams, contrary to certain statements in the press and on some blogs.

The takeaway from all of this? UCI licensed riders can only race sanctioned races. That's it. No loopholes, no exceptions. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, especially considering the rapid growth of enduro racing. Racers will need to decide which direction to take their racing career, either sticking with sanctioned races or forgoing the UCI entirely and racing in the numerous unsanctioned alternatives.

- Mike Kazimer

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361 Comments
  • 5768
 UCI = North Korea.....
  • 1027
flag AdrienRides (Apr 5, 2013 at 10:43) (Below Threshold)
 ..
  • 136
 I've heard humanity/economy in korea is really bad...
  • 1417
 This means no Crankworx. What the hell UCI!?
  • 373
 @intenserider7, no Crankworx is sanctioned by the CCA (Canadian Cycling Association) so its still good, but still this is complete BS
  • 282
 Good, thats a relief, though I was thinking I might have been able to place higher in a few of the races hahaha.
  • 15
flag gusbusdh372 (Apr 5, 2013 at 11:40) (Below Threshold)
 What I'm getting from this is anyone with USAC license can't even race. It specifically says "does not solely concern professional riders or members of a UCI team" that means everyone.
  • 253
 Where is the "fun aspect" gone with those rules?
  • 42
 @Gusbus it's all pro racers with UCI licenses aka an international usac license. If you aren't pro then you still don't need to worry
  • 372
 What about Gee in Rampage?
  • 609
 Well... It's a shame Pinkbike has taken a non-biased viewpoint on something that is complete BS. Same day as they publish an editorial criticizing the attempt to start up DH1?

This could be a way for Pinkbike to use their influence as a large online publication to help oppose this, too bad.

Head to VitalMTB for a better sum of this, specifically stating that Crankworks is off the list:
www.vitalmtb.com/news/news/USAC-HATES-YOU-EVEN-MORE-All-UCI-Licensed-Riders-Subject-To-Fines-For-Racing-Non-Sanctioned-Events,581

And also the petition to abolish this rule:
www.change.org/petitions/usa-cycling-and-the-union-cycliste-international-uci-attend-sea-otter-to-negotiate-abolishing-uci-rule-1-2-019
  • 1192
 Petition should be to abolish UCI...
  • 272
 Abolish UCI and make prices f races cheaper some are redicoulouse
  • 292
 Revolution needed
  • 113
 Rampage?
  • 121
 The UCI is getting scared and acting in a way that can only harm them. this will drive more people away from the UCI and affiliated national organizations. If they want to survive, they should get rid of that rule quickly.
  • 411
 Oh look, ignorant old people are screwing things up once again.
  • 153
 At a small race in the northwest of England on sunday, Josh bryceland is a local and turned up and absolutely shredded the race! , and it was good for all these riders at grassroots and spectators to be able to talk/ see and ride against him. But with this shitty rule inplace riders at grassroots wont be able to see the pros at local events.
  • 131
 one word springs to mind. Boycott.
  • 71
 Can we just race what ever, when ever?
  • 12
 North Korea and live communism! imperialist rats
  • 21
 What the hell is their reasoning for this? Unless it's just get more money for them, I have no idea what this rule is for.
  • 110
 Everybody go and sign the petition!! www.change.org/petitions/usa-cycling-and-the-union-cycliste-international-uci-attend-sea-otter-to-negotiate-abolishing-uci-rule-1-2-019
  • 61
 ghunter, pinkbike tries relatively hard, and does a relatively good job, of reporting new like this while not trying to take sides toooo much. Truthfully, I would as well if my company was responsible for reporting MTB news to the people of the sport. One bad stance on one issue and you're ruined, or severely damaged. But you can probably easily imagine the staff also think this is complete bullshit. Because... well, it is.
  • 61
 @ will-oddy1..
That's like over here in our WA State Downhill races. Sam Hill comes to some of the races and destroys everyone, but it's still awesome just to see him ride and compete with someone who's at a professional level.
  • 60
 I signed it!!!
  • 43
 PB doesnt need to take sides or give their opinion. They know we will do that for them. Besides, if they dont like what we say they just delete it anyways. Lmao..
  • 51
 if everyone pulled their UCI licence, would the UCI die??
  • 232
 Does Herpes ever really die?
  • 84
 It has become time to separate mountain biking from the UCI, one way or another... I hope nobody does anything crazy, including sabotaging races like the Tour de France. Imagine a pack of roadies climbing a hill then being obliterated by a bunch of freeriders on DH bikes coming down the hillside...broken carbon frames everywhere, spokes in lungs,
  • 41
 Maybe a more productive response would be to visit the uci mountain bike facebook page and express your outrage.
  • 20
 Same thing applies for how jared graves won't be able to race the local xc Wild West series in south east Queensland!
  • 20
 I agree, they only have power because we let them. If everyone starts boycotting them they will eventually dissolve.
  • 20
 Are their dicks really that small? are they jealous of people who don't need to shave their legs and ride in all terrain but streets? WTF is wrong with the f*cking UCI?
  • 72
 So proclaim a new sport ! Banish the word Cycling, Bike, Pedaling... On all the information and rules of Official tours and events outside UCI.

The drivers will always have the right to practice an other sport than cycling, and join it with a license: Enduro is not cycling, Freeride is not cycling, Freestyle is not cycling, and DH (do something !) ...

Change your rules, and drivers are no longer outlawed !

Sponsors : create two separate team. And even if some athletes are part of the two teams, they are just multisport athletes.

Be smart against the stupidity !
  • 20
 @Lolo, MTB is a new sport, but its still on a bicycle, so you cant really abandon 'cycling'. I think thats enough to separate from the UCI.
  • 40
 UNLIKE THE UCI PAGE ON FB!
  • 20
 @taletotell it redirects me to another page the UCI page
  • 30
 UCI must clarify, each team must have a manditory steroid or blood doping scandal/cover-up/ controversy or will be docked 50 points per rider.
  • 10
 So what about peatys Sheffield series that's over to?
  • 20
 www.change.org/petitions/usa-cycling-and-the-union-cycliste-international-uci-attend-sea-otter-to-negotiate-abolishing-uci-rule-1-2-019


I signed. Everybody else sign
  • 10
 ahhhhhhh i dont feel challenged anymore ... no more pros to beat!!!!
  • 10
 Yeah, but less people will go to the races without the publicity, meaning smaller cash prizes.
  • 10
 At this rate there wont be any races
  • 30
 why dont "we" do the same thing the F1 teams did or threatend to do.. .. and leave the organisation..
let uci have road racing if those peeps want to continue with them.. even they have their own problems with them.. .,.

f*ck world domination..
  • 10
 UCI are doing almost the same thing that ''illuminati'' are doing with the NWO - one world government. Its all about the money boys. I have never understood why does the sport have to be ''regulated'' by some organization, why can't people get in groups and organize the events and regulate the sport accordingly to what riders themselves have to say.
  • 21
 Welp, this conversation just went full retard.
  • 10
 Haha, illuminati and the NWO. lololol
  • 870
 What a load of BS, pros mingling at a local level is what separates us from arrogant footballers and gave the sport such a good vibe
  • 340
 this means that many pro's wont even be allowed to do their local events now. events thay they have most likely done since they were kids.. thats brutal.
  • 60
 I agree, and good use of the word brutal!
  • 30
 At a small race in the northwest of England on sunday, Josh bryceland is a local and turned up and absolutely shredded the race! , and it was good for all these riders at grassroots and spectators to be able to talk/ see and ride against him. But with this shitty rule inplace riders at grassroots wont be able to see the pros at local events.
  • 30
 Cedric Gracia was gonna come to #2 NW Cup race...I was really looking forward to it!! But now i dont think he can Frown
  • 40
 NW cup is uci so he can.
  • 40
 But we should be boycotting the uci, so screw the NW cup and give your friends who are supporting it a hard time for not being part of the boycott of UCI -affiliated races. Overall this is bad for the sport but if it is handled correctl.y we can get rid of the UCI by boycotting its races and the sponsors that support it such as Shimano.
  • 10
 chris kovarik at western open again? oh wait sorry uci screwed everyone over... again
  • 10
 @Protour: Sweet! I didint know that! It kinda makes me not wanna go now though...
  • 12
 @Will Oddy, that race was sanctioned by BC and therefore not a problem. It appears to me that this stance is taken to prevent riders from competing in alternative 'big' races not sanctioned by the UCI, rather than preventing riders competing in grassroots events.
  • 10
 And besides, it IS pros showing up at local events that makes the appeal to the kids, and gives them inspiration to become pros in turn. Plain promotion for the sport. Yes, despite UCI, it is a sport, still. And an recreational, enjoyable one for most of us..
  • 710
 Ill race where I'm going to have fun. UCI or not. It's plain and simple, the UCI an USA cycling want to kill gravity racing off by taking out the grass roots racing.
  • 630
 I think this rule has to do with $$$. Sanctioned events likely have to pay a fee to UCI, and they want their cut or you can't race. F*ck UCI!
  • 130
 Well said tanner, id like to give a middle finger or two to UCI, the rules and regulations they enforce are borderline childish, world cups are now overrated, like you said, its all about picking those quality races that make you appreciate racing in the first place.
  • 80
 UCI fail
  • 90
 Yep. All about the money on this one. Enduro has to be one of the big targets of UCI's new found interest in this rule. It's on the cover of every magazine these days and the driving force behind a lot of new MTB products--650b, mid-coverage helments, XX1 drivetrain, tires, etc. Its a real growth industry and UCI/USAC do not want to be cut out of the pie. The sad thing is this is where the big bike companies could really put some muscle behind this by putting enough money into enduro to make the best racers in the world drop their UCI stuff. They won't do it though because of politics and the money in road racing.
  • 110
 UCI is a bunch of dicks... I'm curious what will PROs do in the name of objection to this rules. Abandonment of UCI would be a great move to see, but I guess it's not quite possible... I'll do just as tstep3, race where I'm going to have fun. And not a single bastard can take it away.
  • 40
 This affects all levels of cycling, tstep3: road, track, XC, CX, and DH.
  • 20
 Brooce: there's been a call out from roadies in the U.S to not pay licensing fees for a year to send the message home to UCI. Unfortunately it's not going to happen
  • 10
 @meagerdude you are correct, however those other disciplines already have more sanctioned races available to them. Go take a look at the USAC calender and you will see what I am saying
  • 80
 The website should go anti UCI like the time it went black for the copyright infringement law.
  • 111
 EAT A BAG OF DICKS UCI!!!
  • 20
 haha it'S not everyone that watched Louis C.K.
  • 520
 I'm surprised to write this, but I'd love to see someone taking that to court. Basically UCI prohibits all licence holders participating in all kind of cycling event's if they are not organised by UCI. Especially in case on Enduro court would be interesting. Since UCI does not have Enduro rules or races, it basically states that they own all kinds of cycling. In Finland we are in fortunate situation that Enduro is not organised under UCI, but in good understanding with National Cycling assosiation and that rule is not applied here, if it would, we would take it to court. There was similar case here about Car Rally racing some years ago, and unsurprisingly court decision was that National Motorsports association does not own motorsports in Finland and can't prohibit licence holders to participate in other organisers races.
  • 150
 Interesting. I think in South Africa this would also stand a good chance of being overridden in court, with the argument being that they can't prevent a pro from earning an income in his profession, regardless of who sanctions an event. Of course pro mountain bikers are probably the last people to have the money to bring this to court, especially down here.
  • 231
 Many an anti-trust suit has been brought against the NBA, NFL, NHL, & MLB in the United States...and for the most part they have all be unsuccessfull.

The UCI is not saying that you cannot partcipate in non-UCI sanctioned races. Any racer is free to compete in any race he or she pleases...as long as they are not a UCI License Holder.

It's very simple...don't buy a UCI license. Then you are free to do whatever you want. In the face of an organization so obviously out of touch and over stepping it's bounds, that's the only way to drive change.
  • 710
 fuck you!
  • 120
 Unfortunately no pro DH racer is able to do that, or they would be without a job.
  • 90
 i know. so much for Santa Cruz bringing their 20 years in the making bike out and having an enduro racing team made up of Greg, the Rat, Steve, and CG. They will have to put those bikes away and continue to only race their dh bikes.
  • 53
 @mbl77...they would only be without a job as a professional mountain bike racer. It's not a right to race mountain bikes and if you want to do it, you need to do it through UCI or find another series or venue to do so. Until a legimate alternative is created, the UCI can continue to abuse their power and over step their bounds.

I realize that totally sucks ass and believe the UCI is really overstepping it's bounds, but that's the way the world works. If you want to drive change, don't renew your UCI license or just go race every race you want to anyways and tell the UCI to shove it everytime a fine letter shows up in the mail.

Or just go completely off the grid and live in your sprinter...that way the UCI can't find you. Smile
  • 70
 In South Africa I'm pretty sure that wouldn't be legal. Each country will have its own interpretation of this. I'd love to see it go to court somewhere, the UCI needs to be properly challenged on this.
  • 170
 Perhaps they could just enter the event under a different name, (Meg Grinnaar, Teve Speat, Cedric Ladykiller etc)
  • 20
 Donch, the reasons those have failed is because of the size of the sport, and representation of the players by a union. That union fights for the players rights. In fact, the only reason why no lawsuits have won, is because it usually gets taken care of before it goes to court. For reference look up MLB and the ownership rules. Every time they don't let a person buy the team, because they don't like the way that person acts or spends money, that person is usually paid off. Maybe pro mtb needs to start a rider's union......
  • 43
 In this case, a lawsuit won't work. Anti trust, etc are based on not having a choice. The riders have a choice: race as a UCI licensed pro in UCI sanctioned events or face penalties. Or be a non UCI licensed racer and choose not to race in UCI licensed events. As long as there is a choice, there is no monopoly.
  • 10
 @Knife-in-the-dark...the majority of anti-trust suits filed against professional sports leagues are done BY THE PLAYERS UNION(S) on behalf of one of its players.
  • 20
 @Knife-in-the-dark: The difference in this case is that professional mountain bikers and cyclists do not have a "players union" to protect themselves against the organizing body of their sport. This is exactly the type of situation in which the theoretical "riders union" would file an anti-trust suit against the UCI, but alas, there is no such union.

You are in fact 180 degrees wrong in how you think this works.
  • 10
 You do know they have to actually dissolve the union BEFORE they can file a suit right?
  • 10
 You're obviously a hockey fan who read one article on the NHL lockout and now considers himself an expert. The mechanics of how it's done are irrelevant. The point is, professional cyclists, particularly mountain bikers, do not have any organization to protect themselves from absurd and arbitrary rules created by the UCI in order to generate additional revenue at the expense of the individual competitor.
  • 10
 Everything that is done, is done for a specific reason. I also agree with your point. Neither of us are lawyers, let's leave it at that.
  • 10
 @meagerdude, yes and no. It's not only about having a choice, It's also about holding a dominant position on a determined market and abusing that position, this stuff might help there in US www.ftc.gov/bc/antitrust/single_firm_conduct.shtm
  • 10
 Not so sure you are right on this one.
  • 470
 I forsee alot of enduro podium finishes for "Ron Mexico" and "Dick Fitzwell"...among other phony aliases.
  • 70
 Maybe the races could have a "non-participant" category for the UCI pros. There's nothing that prohibits these guys/girls from riding the trail, they just can't paticipate. The media could report all of the times, but the official results wouldn't show them as having participated. It would be like riding an illegal trail!
  • 30
 I think just registering as Harry Balsonia is a better idea.
  • 270
 Maybe the pros should just race in an outfit like The Stig from Top Gear. Make no comments, talk to no one...and fly down the trail. I'd live to see a podium with all Stigs on it. Standing with arms crossed.
  • 30
 Full face road moto helmet with a dark visor...keep it on for the podium.
  • 40
 The Stig will be at all the non-sanctioned races!
  • 20
 haha I kept thinking of this comment today. I was at the PCA Riverside Enduro and the winner of Pro women went by the name of "Porky Springs". lol, no doubt her porn name.
  • 450
 sucks to UCI. they are destroying competitive cycling.
  • 390
 Well the UCI just sucks giant big balls, don't they?
  • 350
 sucks to have a licence... let's start our own cycling organisation - with blackjack and hookers!
  • 41
 Minus the blackjack. And minus cycling.
  • 290
 It's time to abandon the UCI in all disciplines of cycling. They have proven time and time again to be nothing more than a burden on the sport.

No tall socks
Lawyer tabs

and now this?
  • 20
 If no pros joined, the uci would go away and another company would jump in, its just that no pros have the backbone to stand up to uci
  • 10
 it has nothing to do w/ the pro riders, they can't choose who's willing to pay them to ride their bikes for a living. if you had the ability to do what you love for a living, would you give it up b/c of politics? not me. but, the uci does need to be boycotted. if only DH could find a source of sponsorship money to support a world series outside of the uci, all would be good. DH1 was a solution but................no $$$$$$$$. if there is to be a boycott, it has to come from the race organizers, race teams, non-pro riders, and sponsors.
  • 220
 UCI and USAC should stay the f out of mountain biking.
  • 170
 The only thing the UCI has clarified is that they are a group of greedy pricks.
  • 180
 UCI= fascist
  • 120
 This is all about control not money, the UCI make their money in Road cycling there real objective, MTB is just a show for them as they are supposed to be the governance at World level for all cycling disciplines, 5 or 6 World Cups probably cost money not make money. Regardless enforcing these rules shows they are loosing control of the sport and to me it signals the death throws of the UCI in MTB its just a matter of time, when Enduro is successful there will be a breakaway body that will form there own World body and series, something that will easily get manufacture support, sponsor and ultimately rider support, it nearly happened in F1 a few years back, the only difference between the too was not the body itself but the money F1 and sponsorship manufacture support was quite different to this situation, this debacle is at the opposite extremes and is ripe for a breakaway from the UCI once and for all.

Everyone wants it, it just needs a shove DH1 could have been that vechicle but they unfortunately they choked at the last minute, this year they would have been tearing it up. This is the beginning not the end wait and see there will be more to this yet, the UCI is out of touch and basically don't care, it just doesn't look good for an international body that cant manage its own sports, its not all roses in Road cycling either while big money is there, the damage over the last few years built upon the lies of atleast the last 20 years of drugs in Road cycling has done major damage to that side of the sport as well, but there are allot of invested parties so dont see that going south anytime soon. MTB though would be better off away from that stink as well.

I dont see what the UCI brings to our sport, its just an illusion of World recognition that is holding people to it out of fear and fear of the unknown. Go the EWS show the way guys, so we can get this great sport back on track/trail that is MTB.
  • 10
 Good points, UCI def wants a piece of the sponsor pie (they have vested interests in promotion even though they are the governing body)

But here's the issue, what if a rider wants to ride an Enduro series which UCI has not approved? This means that if that pro holds a UCI license he will not race the Enduro series for fear of DQ or suspension.

This in the long run may hurt MTB as pros who are UCI licensed will not come over the line and bring the attention that their name attracts. Then again, DH/Enduro is pretty self-sustaining with their own starts.

I can see this working if NONE of the Enduro/DH series get UCI approval, then they would have their own niche.
  • 122
 Revolt!
Most revolutions are started by only 20%.
Those that fled england to start america, jews that fled Egypt, and on and on.
In business, 20% is a key # in sales formulas etc..return customers...
Uci is free to make rules, bad or good,, as the riders/teams are free to make their respective career decisions.
Riders could boycott, fans can boycott, protest..sponsors can pull out.
Too many are weak and timid.
Hence all the communist, tryannical, dictators and statistism in the world.
Good luck
  • 80
 a boycott could really work. who knows..maybe this could become a self-inflicted gun-shot wound to the UCI's head. i agree with you that standing your ground and making that initial sacrifice is not as common. hope you're wrong in this case!
  • 20
 same thing i was thinking. if the riders strike the UCI has no races and therefore no money. so its in their interests to keep the riders on side by meeting their demands. if we just do what the uci want and roll over then we have let them kill our grassroots racing and the soul of our sport. we can only blame ourselves if we let them do this. so i say revolt for what you believe in. do not let them do this.
  • 30
 i will be the first to say it. i will not for long as this rule is in force
buy a licence, compete in uci races or watch the UCI events.
i reckon if we all go to their facebook page (www.facebook.com/UCIMTBworldcup?ref=search&sid=780482814.3578879793..1) or (twitter twitter.com/UCI_cycling) and say the same it may get our mesage across
  • 10
 Good point Matt, plenty of comments here, post em up FB too.
  • 10
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqxnm6t3QMw here is the song to go with it
  • 10
 It would have to be a boycott across the whole cycling community for it to have any affect , not just mtb.
  • 20
 If all the top pros raced a non sanctioned race before world cups started that could get rid of the rule. UCI would have the option of suspending all of them and holding a world cup without any of the top riders or getting rid of a ridiculous rule. I still think mtb would be better off without UCI altogether though.
  • 10
 Fled England? Who did? I get your point but read a history book.
  • 10
 meant Puritans not americans.
  • 110
 Sign the petition against USAC and UCI! www.change.org/petitions/usa-cycling-and-the-union-cycliste-international-uci-attend-sea-otter-to-negotiate-abolishing-uci-rule-1-2-019
  • 51
 Fed up with Pink Bike too! Too many shits on here! I'm going for a ride and I'm probably not coming back! So long!
  • 90
 This is purely a strong arm tactic to expand UCI/USAC. UCI/USAC is leveraging pro riders against local event promoters by threatening promoters to become a UCI/USAC sanctioned event or else the pros won't show up. In essence, they want everything to be a sanctioned event. That means more money for them at the expense of eliminating grassroots, local events.
  • 50
 You got it...but I think it's a little bit more than just local races & promotors. UCI did not have the forsight to create their own enduro series, so they are going to try to blackmail the creators and high jack the Enduro World Series
  • 10
 @donch15 - Eh...from the standpoint of the UCI, the EWS is almost win-win for them. The risk is entirely off their shoulders. If it fails, no skin off their bones since someone else has tested the waters with an enduro series at an international scale. If it succeeds, they'll swoop in and throw enough money at EWS until they've acquired all rights, assets, TMs.
  • 20
 The trouble is...I think the UCI knows it's not going to fail. I don't think it's coincidental that the UCI decided to enforce this rule as the Chris Ball, the former UCI Technical Delegate rolled out the EWS.
  • 10
 Good observation, that's what caused this. I'm glad he had the balls to start it
  • 100
 Good thing I'm not a pro....
  • 40
 The problem is there are a lot of people that are. And I for one love having pros come out to our local beer races.
  • 60
 Why can't the riders just race what they want to race? I believe this is the reason why Aaron Gwin could not race at the Fontana Southridge winter series, but he could race at the Pro Grt #2 at Fontana because the Pro Grt is a National race
  • 80
 "LEAVE THE RIDERS ALONE!!!"
  • 50
 This is beyond bullshit, and I would not be surprised if this magical rule is a direct attempt to torpedo the Enduro World Series, since now i.e. The Santa Cruz Syndicate, that just said they'd enter some EWS races to try the Bronson's hand at them , what are they suposed to do? Because I understand that when they said they'd enter they meant at least one of Peat, Minaar or Bryceland, and according to those rules, doing so could be quite detrimental as far as their downhill world cup aspirations go. At this point I'd love for both the EWS and DH1 to go forward and to see all major teams support it and kick the UCI where they deserve, hard in the balls.
  • 40
 Taking the pro's outta grass roots racing would suck so bad. I know they will always clean up at the races but it's cool to race against them and see how you fair against the top boys. UCI needs to be boycotted or ditched all together.
  • 81
 The u in uci stands for union... And like all oversized unions they act like they are a mob and its their way or else.
  • 20
 True.
  • 30
 No U stands for Useless.
  • 10
 uci= unrelenting c*ntishness inc.
  • 40
 All this to fill the Olympic dream! Good thing there are enough of us out there to know that the Olympics is rarely ever good for these types of sports. Attempting to legitimize a sport by suffocating it... makes sense UCI.
  • 60
 UCI is dead...........long live DH1!!!!!!! UCI should stick to road and track, as they cleary dont care what happens to mountain biking.
  • 30
 I just can't believe that the UCI/USAC can't recognize the overwhelming displeasure this causes among the mtb crowd. Are they that tone deaf that they think this is all A-OK? And this, to me, is another glaring example of the perverse capitalist age in which we live. Not that capitalism is evil, it's just that the current state of it is that the belief in fair competition between companies/organizations has been abandoned. Instead of competing, the powerful seek to make competition illegal or impractical. See Apple v. Samsung, the music/film industry v. piracy, HBO and a bunch of ISPs v. Netflix, patent laws, intellectual property issues, and now UCI v. real mountain bikers.
  • 20
 conflict of interest, an inevitable result whenever moneys involved i'm afraid :/
sucks i know
  • 20
 It's as if corruption has become the normal model anywhere money is involved. The worst and most suicidal example is the way the oil and gas industries have promoted the denial of global warming and bought off the gov't in the US to stifle the development of renewable energy such as solar and wind power. The human race will be held accountable eventually, but most of the other species on the planet will also tragically die off.
  • 30
 The only looser in this game will be UCI. Mountain bikers are so much different compared to road racers, but UCI can't see it. I have a license and I will for sure also compete in non unsanctioned races this season and in the next few years. But if I really have to choose, then I think, that I will choose the non-UCI side.
  • 10
 The fact is uci is a bunch of fat lazy ass people that think they can do whatever they want and thats what they have accomplished in road racing but mountain bikers are different we will not be bommed with stupid laws thats why we need someone passionate about the sport to make sone kind of governing body
  • 30
 The way I see it UCI can't sanction an Enduro event since they have not recognized this race format, no rules or races for it. They have XC, DH, roadies, BMX and so on. But no MTB Enduro. EMBA can sanction enduro events and I think they have no problem with Enduro events popping up everywhere... Haven't heard or seen UCI being interested about MTB orienteering. They have their World champioships and National Championships, but nothing to do with UCI. They have their own governing body. MTB orienteering shows UCI does not own everything where bicycles are included. And then there is the triathlon and what else. The same thinking can be applied to MTB Enduro, Freeride, slopesstyle etc.
  • 40
 Hey pinkbike people whats your take on this? Or do you have to appear neutral? This rule goes against what cycling means to me which is freedom and fun. That may seem simplistic to some.
  • 60
 LOL good luck with that one.
  • 30
 About time to say f*ck UCI? www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRdo7WXTVoM Doesn't affect me, or even most riders out there, but the sport is not big enough to need these kind of rules.
  • 50
 I'm starting my own mountain. Everyone's invited to race anytime. Sapienter si Sincere.
  • 70
 fuck UCI!!!!
  • 10
 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZzM4s0Hgs

Made me think about this song.
  • 20
 all pros all come from grassroots, privateer, and young talent at events put on by supportive communities that create the draw when top riders can participate. what's wrong with pro/am events to keep the stoke high for all? clearly biting the hand that feeds?! is this about a moneygrab? liability? wtf?! i guess it's time to support outlaw racing on secret trails. clearly a case of "be careful what you wish for" when you want to grow a product and you're only distributor is also your legislator.
  • 20
 I think its about time Mountain Biking walked away from the UCI and created its own separate governing body. I dont think it would harm the sport in the slightest in the long run. For instance NASCAR and Indy Car have nothing to do with the FIA and are doing perfectly well and are well respected. The debacle with the potential split DH series last year really proves they (UCI) only care for EPO and lycra. Now people might say ohh but what about the olympics, who cares? The Beijing course was lame and didn't represent the what we all do and the London course was so poor it could have been riden on a cross bike. I'd say redbull give the sport better coverage and promotion just in the TV adverts with bearclaw and the athertons that what the Olympics did.
  • 20
 I agree almost 100%. The only problem is NASCAR can afford to run itself because it is a massive business and the teams rake in millions in sponsorship deals. It's also the most watched sport in the US so TV deals are worth a fortune. MTB is still a small community and the teams can't afford to run their own series'.
The UCI care about money and road cycling, what they need to do, if they were clever is open a sub-company and hire a well respected MTB company owner to run it and then step back. They keep the money, MTB pros race what they want and fans don't have as many UCI rules rammed down their throats.
  • 10
 I pretty much agree with everything you've said there, but I wish people would stop with the shit toward the London course. Show me someone riding it on a cross bike and then I'll forgive you.
  • 10
 Brooklynuk85 you are talking some sense there. speedisyourfreind, the london course was a big let down, maybe they were put under pressure to make it tame. Maybe the location limited what they could build, there were plenty of more hilly locations around london. But in my opinion the course was too tame to represent what mountain biking is about to the general public. Mountain bike racing no matter what discipline should represent athletic endurance, power and skill. And its the skill and proximity to nature that separates mountain biking from other cycling series. XC courses need to have single track, roots, rock gardens, drops and jumps fire roads loose of camber turns testing technical climbs otherwise its just road racing on mud. Pietermaritzburg XC course should be used as a template good example, it was superb viewing.
  • 10
 I'm due to ride it this weekend, and having ridden my fair share of trails, a bit of freeride and downhill, I'll report back here with a comparison and opinion.
  • 20
 They will never attempt to seriously enforce this rule... They will create some pressure, wait until there appears to be a party on the other end that they can negotiate with, and then attempt to assimilate them into the uci scheme... But this will be years away... No action is imminent... Trust me, this isn't the first time this has happened... It's common every few years...
  • 10
 Mtb racers have already been punished last year and this is a first in mtb racing.
  • 20
 Will all pros please immediately go ride a home race in protest. Let the UCI chew on that for a while. I am boycotting watching UCI races starting today. I will tear them down to anyone who brings them up to me. The UCI is dead to me. what ab bunch of douche bags.
  • 20
 Easy!
Just get EVERYONE that holds ANY type of race involving ANY type of cycling to contact the UCI or USAC (best to do both) to get it sanctioned.
They will be swamped with an incredible amount administrative work and it will be their own stupid fault.

In fact I was thinking of starting my own series of races. Set over a period of two months there will be 643 two minute races, all open category.
  • 10
 That would work if they didn't charge boatloads of money to sanction those races. That is why so many events don't bother.
  • 10
 Do you have a $ figure? Just interested is all
  • 20
 And this kids, is why racing is gayer than 11 dudes f*cking. Racing organizations have no passion for racing at it's core level... you know, trying to go faster than the next guy. All these douchebags care about is money and power. Sadly, I see slopestyle going the way of "invite only" contests. These people keep shooting themselves in the foot.
  • 10
 The only good racing organization is redbull
  • 50
 Taking the phrase "dick move" to a whole new level, what a pile of absolute bull.
  • 50
 Get your pitchforks here! Special offer today! $5!

Nah but for real UCI are dickbagc*nts.
  • 60
 UCI - what a bunch of cunts.
  • 20
 I f*cking hate this organization, these guys have been holding back road cycling for years and just keep spreading their web of shit. Now you know what roadies have been dealing with for years...welcome to the boat fellas.

This is now about forcing the hand of organizers of non sanctioned races to pay the permit fee.

Organizers: What's it like to be between a wall and a handgun?
Racers: Start using fake names (can I be Mr. Black? Everyone wants to be Mr. Black)
  • 20
 Uci just wants to suck money out of well run popular events. Sadly this leaves racing weaker as a whole. If I knew a pro I liked was racing an event I could get to would be very tempted to try it. But as is racing is expensive enough. Adding a uci event fee will make it more expensive and keep me from seeing the return for my dollar. I am a strong, skilled long time rider and will avoid giving 1 cent to the uci. Whatever.. I will just spend my money on road trips with unlimited riding time. I would like to see the top 20 riders all do 1 or 2 non uci races and publish the hell out of them. The riders as a group should show force.
  • 10
 Also, the uci should spend there time offering the best product they can, throw good races and actually help people set up races instead of trying to simple force people to do what they want. Be helpful with cheap insurance, timing, race support plans. Its better for everyone the just being douchers.
  • 20
 Please, let me remind those who know, and inform those who don't:

UCI has a lot of interests within the promotional field of racing AND they are the regulators of the sport, this is a conflict of interest in the highest form. They stand to gain from the promotion of the sport and enforce regulations only when it suits them to maximize monetary gain.

I wonder how many interests they have within the manufacturing field in the sport, what their profit margin is on equipment and new technologies. Let's not forget equipment MUST be UCI approved in order to be used in sanctioned racing (I'm referring specifically to triathlon, road cycling and track, not sure about XC/DH/etc) - You do see the conflict I hope, and the kind of crap that the sport is up against.
  • 20
 UCI,
Have any of you ever even been on a bike? I, personally, do not think you have. If you had, you wouldn't be such a ridiculous group of NAZIS flexing your power over everyone. I think each and every rider should boycott you, and your events entirely. The World Cup should be held by mountain bikers, for mountain bikers, and should not be governed by a group of mental midgets.
  • 30
 UCI is dead..........long live DH1! Clearly the UCI don't care about mountain biking, they just want to make as much money as they can from it.They're only interested in road and track!!
  • 20
 This UCI garbage reminds me of Canada's Harper (consevative) government. Always some hidden agenda leaving a sour taste in the mouth. Not a team player, only concerned about profits, limiting exposure and being very ignorant about it. Wow is the UCI also the Conservative government of Canada? F--k em all. Way to promote growth in the sport..(not)
  • 20
 Ahh nice one UCI, this is just another stupid rule put forward by the men behind the desks. Where is the passion for racing and cycling. Having Top riders at races raises the profile of this sport, we need more riders, more racers and a bigger audience to keep the sport growing. Congratulations on another GREAT decision UCI!
  • 31
 Something similar to this happened in Australia a number of years ago in Motorsport. The Confederation of Australian Motor Sport was taken to court by Bob Jane (he was running the Thunderdome in Victoria) because the drivers who would race there were subsequently banned from racing at any CAMS sanctioned event and fined for participating in a non-sanctioned event. Jane won as the courts found it contravened the Trades Practices act (restriction of trade) in Australia. Is this not something similar to what is happening with the UCI? Surely you can't say when a person "is allowed" to participate in a race based purely on it's insurance/affiliation, whether it be XC, Enduro, DH, Road etc? The whole thing strikes me as being unethical, we live in a democratic society last I checked and people should be able to chose for themselves when and where they race without fear of retribution.
  • 2014
 UCI = communists
  • 213
 More like UCI=CAPITALISTS (doppie ones).
they don't want their big names like gwin fe. to participate in races they don't profit from , that all.
money talks and bullshit walks.
mtbing needs a separate governing body !!!!.
  • 130
 I think you may need to look up the definition of a communist....
  • 30
 I believe he's referring to the anti-competitive nature of the rule.
  • 20
 So, monopoly capitalism.
  • 11
 Communism, as experienced so far in history, is no different than extreme capitalism..
  • 20
 It's not, but let's not get into that here.
  • 50
 SO is the Enduro World Series sanctioned?
  • 40
 i think this is what they are trying to kill. UCI can go pound turtles! fucks!
  • 10
 good question
  • 10
 No...it is not UCI sanctioned.
  • 10
 I believe they're nationally sanctioned, but if not, then the whole having to be UCI licensed for the last race thing is gonna make things pretty broken.
  • 20
 Do you UCI guys enjoy holding mountain bikers balls in a vice? At the end of the day, riding and racing should be a fun thing that we can all enjoy together. Why take the fun out of something so awesomeFrown
  • 20
 What do you expect, road bikers don't ride for fun, they ride for... STRAVA

(I'm being funny, but there are a lot of roadies who ride because they think it makes them better than other people.)
  • 10
 I think if comes down to a different kind of fun. When the only improvement you can achieve is to dominate your old time and that of everyone else you get in the habit of focusing on that.
  • 40
 Time to ditch the uci. Could also get a season which is more than like 6 weeks!
  • 40
 no gee or brendog at rampage??!!gutted!wanted to see brendog hit that gap he was working on last year :-(
  • 10
 why do we need the uci again? what good are they? could we do better without them? i would forgo watching a season of dh racing to see the uci die. uci riders need to strike and say they won't compete in any uci sanctioned race while this rule is in force. the uci won't want to lose money so will either tell the riders to do one (so they set up their own series without uci involvement ) or give in to the riders demands
please go and f*ck yourself UCI!!!
  • 40
 Wow I never knew the uci was so bad! Just one more reason why being a freerider rules.
  • 10
 im having a wild guess here but im guessing its because of the Enduro world series? by the last comment of the article...'be interesting to see how this plays out, especially considering the rapid growth of enduro racing. Racers will need to decide which direction to take their racing career, either sticking with sanctioned races or forgoing the UCI entirely and racing in the numerous unsanctioned alternatives' this must be so they cant do both or am i reading it wrong?
  • 10
 So, when Syndicate, Trek World Racing and CRC riders turn up at Enduro World Series rounds and such, the UCI is going to shit a brick and sanction them?
.
I think this is the UCI trying to stomp on the EWS before it's even started. Having missed their opportunity they're trying to bully and threaten the competition out of business, I wonder what French law has to say about such practices?
  • 30
 ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html

102
  • 20
 I think french laws don't apply here since it was decided in Switzerland, by an international Union.
  • 10
 How the fuck can they just suddenly come up with this bullshit it fells like this sport is becoming a dictatorship
  • 20
 Anyone have any insight on why this rule is in place? Are UCI license holders covered under UCI insurance? Do they get paid for races they do and UCI doesn't want them getting another paycheck? I just can't figure it out.
  • 10
 I Think each and every one of us needs to send a letter of discontent to the UCI, let them know they are hindering the sport and not furthering the participation levels only turning people off to organized racing. This is the email I sent to UCI earlier. I suggest each one of you send your opinions as well... let them know why you think they are hindering organized racing. be polite and do not get aggressive, just a little nudge to keep them aware the world is watching!

" Dear UCI representatives and decision makers, Poor Ruling on 1.2.019! Just know that as an organization you will see a rapid decrease in numbers due to your overbearing North Korean Style Dictatorship… Ruling on Rule 1.2.019 is bogus and will not further the riding community it will only continue the oppressive tyranny that is UCI.
Have a horrible race season.
Sincerely Nicholas D.
  • 10
 This is absolutely absurd! This just stops on the dreams of every rider or event organizer that wants to have a big name pro at their race, not to mention all the pro riders that wanted to be interdisciplinary and compete in DH and Enduro.
  • 10
 It's time for every rider to drop their uci license for the next 12 months. with no riders to bring to a uci sanctioned event, and riders going where they want, a point or precedent might be made. the unfortunate component to this is ALL the riders have to quit to make it relevant
  • 10
 There was a call for this about 3 months ago from criterium racers and I believe a pro racer (both out of USA). It won't happen, remember that UCI has their paws all over the world, not just North American. And I think we're so deep in the shit now that it would just hurt the sport not to have a governing body until another was established.
There's some movement to change the fatcats and rumor is Steve Bauer + Greg Lemond may be in a good spot to get into the new UCI, but who the hell knows, it's going to be years.
  • 60
 F@&k the uci
  • 10
 It just occurred to me, someone at UCI read the article about the loophole and said "Oh crap! We have not been Douche bag enough! I will rectify that!" and clarified the rule.
Good work douche bag, whoever your are. For a second things looked less crappy.

I hope people stop whining about RS and their shock and start noticing what it really looks like when a company doesn't give a rat's rear what you think. They just try to screw you and figure you can't go anywhere else.
  • 10
 Here goes the thought of a new series and dump UCI all together.... If all the pro teams would dump their UCI licencing and contracts start a second series with same weekend dates on other tracks or even a weekend before or after the UCI race was due to run..... Bring back 4x, have a slopestyle and DH all in the same weekend...
  • 10
 Wow, the UCI just committed reputation suicide. I remember when UCI downhill races first started being webcast and really appreciating it. Now their name is shit to me. They may have won a temporary victory by getting more promoters to go the UCI route for their events. But is it really worth the price of alienating the entire cycling world? Do they really want to be despised by everyone?
  • 10
 Here in Quebec the cycling federation does the same. If your a member your not allowed to race in a non sanctioned event. I know a lot of guy's who don't purchase a membership and some get a one race event membership so they can race what they want the rest of the season. In the end the federation has lost members. I don't bother anymore with sanctioned events, I don't purchase a membership. Just a bunch of control freaks.
  • 10
 In every challenge one must find opportunity . I sincerely hope this is the wake up call our industry ( mtb specifically) needs to make the proper changes . Its the manufacturers , distributors , stores, consumers and athletes that should be governing our sport . Do we want non mountain bikers deciding on our future.
If it wasn't for grass roots mtb racing in north america , i don't think a world cup MTB series would even exist ? Someone please tell me why we have to listen to the UCI anyways ? To quote a friend of mine " this is how regimes get started " .
I support the efforts of Change.org who are trying to negotiate with the UCI. But ultimately if we ask ourselves where we want our sport to be in 20 years from now , is the UCI part of the picture ?
The sport of mtb has always seemed to stray away from the types of politics you hear about on the road cycling side . I personally would rather not be governed by those policies . Maybe its time for a change ...
The UCI as proven time and time over that they are not a very competent organization with nothing but greed as motive .
Nothing could be further away from most of what the UCI stands for then mtbiking .
Let's hope mtbikers are ready for change . If not , mtb racers will be getting the shtick from the UCI for years to come .
We didn't need them before and sure don't need them now .
  • 20
 The UCI is ruining mountain biking! People should be allowed to race where and when they want and not need to have some organization determining their every move. Mountain biking is not like what it used to be.
  • 50
 who needs UCI ? let's be indepedent
  • 10
 What a bunch of bullsh&t. Buying a UCI license should just mean you are allowed to race in UCI races. not that you can't race in other events. All of the major supporters and manufacturers need to stand up to these asshats and refuse to play by these stupid rules. Imagine if all of the top 20 riders would all race in a non sanctioned event at once. I would like to see the UCI suspend the entire group.. Then no one would give a sh)t about their events.
  • 40
 The UCI really needs to be disbanded. I am surprised after Lance they still exist
  • 10
 So Im not really into racing. Its not for me, and while at some point I could participate in a race for fun, Ill never be one of those guys who has a race schedule every year and is competitive about it. But I appreciate that racing is a very, very major part of what drives this sport. Everything from technological advances to mainstream exposure and all the cool pics and videos I watch here are almost all the result of racing. So go to hell UCI for doing your part to kill this sport.
  • 30
 The UCI should be encuraging pros too get out to thier local races to help promote the sport that feeds them all. Stupid rule. Its the weekend warriors that pays the bills
  • 20
 exactly why i am not buying my pro license again this year..just another reason to race and ride a northstar all summer..
  • 10
 It looks like a lot of us are dancing around this fact, but the real reason the UCI has done this is to prevent competition from springing up (meaning no new sanctioning bodies).

The funny thing is that I'm fairly certain their paranoia is based on the mountain racing landscape. Road is completely under the iron thumb of UCI, and there are'nt any emerging formats or sanctioning bodies. So, I'm pretty sure the emergence of Enduro and the possibility of a new sanctioning body has led them to strict enforcement of this rule.

It's really sad because they are cutting of their nose to spite their face. They obviously dont care about growing the sport of cycling as a whole and getting more people interested. No new race catagories, no pros able to go to small races - all these prevent mainstream awareness cripple the ability to grow the sport. But all the UCI seems to care about is maintaining their stranglehold on sanctioning of the sport and damn the consequences.
  • 10
 USAC and UCI need to promote the sport not choke it out. Why do they have to make it so ridiculously impossible to race for the non-factory rider? Not every one is loaded with money and ready to throw it at them just to race a bike.
  • 10
 WTF, can I still snowboard? Please don't make me quit having fun and enjoying my life UCI... WA state DH will live on but this is just slowing progress that's taken a long time to create for our sport. I want a better explanation from UCI than, -racers- ''run the risk of not having sufficient insurance cover in the event of an accident.'' . If you want to make $, thats understandable, but make an attempt to do it with ALL of us.
  • 10
 I cant consider my self pro as have never made any money from mountain biking, but have raced at World Championships The UCI really know how to take the fun out of Mountain biking and should not be allowed to do so I hope that this is the start of there down fall
  • 10
 I might be very wrong but if the UCI don't and never have held a enduro event can they penalise pros for racing enduro?? Is that not like saying your a UCI pro you cant compete in any form of competition even events/sports we have nothing to do with like a golf tournament?? Surely they can only penalise a pro for competing in a unsanctioned event in a discipline they them self's represent.

My uncle received a lifetime ban from the FA (football association) for playing for his local pub team when he was signed to a pro team all fair as the rules state that but the FA wouldn't have banned him for playing on the local am rugby team because they have nothing to do with the sport
  • 30
 Had enough of UCI Mob-Mentality?

You have a vote/voice against them: join MBSO today: www.facebook.com/pages/MBSO/226797040778108?fref=ts
  • 10
 So we have less support for grass roots races, less chances for pros to help the sport and draw people to races, less chances for pros to blow off steam or use races are training. At some point riders will need to migrate over and abandon grass root racing so they can stick to UCI events. This move could potentially see numbers drop and in the process revenue drop ad that's no ideal for our sport, especially down here in aus where we don't have the masses of support that the US and Canada have. We are also reducing the opportunies for the general racer to pit themselves against the best. Way to take the fun out of it too, now license holders can go have fun races where results don't matter. If everyone just ingores the rule or boycotts it then they have essentially destroyed themselves and another enterprise will pick up the slack and begin hosting. It seems very UCI selfish an not a decision for the riders rather for money or another reason. I'd like to see the pros weigh in on this.
  • 10
 It's time to turn down the UCI. MTB would be much better place without it, In Czech republic there is an example of that.
Czech branch of UCI is even more useless then the UCI like a whole( Lead by old communists which can't see further then his roadbiking box and MTB is almost considered as something bad for cycling sport) . National cup there has poor organization. To stubborn rules and directives which are making sport difficult for Riders, Sponsors, local promoters and therefore less attractive for fans.
Therefor was created "3 DHCup" . Has much better organization then National cup(obviously held by UCI) . Much more fans, its more popular for riders and teams and of course for sponsors (more fans = more sponsors =more options for promoters).

In spite the 3DH Cup is more popular and better on every front, its still coexist with the Uci National cup. Because riders who wants to race world cup, have to get the points in UCI recognized events.

Nevertheless I believe that 3DH Cup and their promoters showed the way. And If UCI can be beaten locally it could be done globally. The right people just needs to stand and fight. Fans, Riders, Teams and especially Sponsors. Because in my opinion when Sport and Fans suffer, sponsors will pay double the price in the long run.
  • 10
 Maybe the pros should race under a different name in these events and wear a mustache .. Given how excellent the anti-doping control was at 'UCI sanctioned events' and how that they let slide 7! Tours de France, even their little Gestapo would not see shit. Lol.
  • 10
 As a race organizer in Ontario, I would like to point out that the Ontario Cycling Association (OCA) has the same rule. My vote - boycott these organizations until they get on board and support the sport of cycling, instead of simply supporting the high end racer. Our volunteer organized race was told because we do not sanctioning our event, it "goes against everything we believe in" by the OCA. This kind of logic will not help grow cycling, or even grow cycle races. It will eventually siphon off the interest of the very people that they hope to sell their licenses to.
  • 31
 So UCI has say or sway over what I do even though I have no UCI License? Did I read that correctly?

These a$$hole$ need to be shot!
  • 30
 No...as long as you don't have a UCI license, as far as they're concerned...you don't exist.
  • 10
 But if you hope to go pro you can't race that small hometown race that got you started anymore.
  • 10
 OK donch15! Thanx for the clarification. But it still sucks. I agree with taletotell. We ALL start or started with some grassroots stuff and it's nice to go back to those events and have fun, be where your roots are, see friends, etc.... The UCI is telling riders that they have to cut out that part out of their lifestyles! That said, the rule still sucks!
  • 20
 Welp, that was a poor decision bases on how quickly enduro is growing. This will hurt UCI, unless it forces organizers to sanction their races.
  • 40
 What kind of balderdash is that shit?
  • 30
 Screw you UCI. This kills events like Crankworx and RedBull sponsored events. The UCI is no good for mountain biking.
  • 40
 UCI- Ugly Cockeyed Idiots
  • 20
 So this is saying you cant race the fun races at a skihill on thursday night with the boys if you have a UCI licence?? bullshit?
  • 20
 Every sanctioned race I've been to there have always been really strange organizing, and always some giant fuck up by USAC. But this is ridiculous.
  • 73
 Trust the French to fuck up
  • 30
 Again, UCI is in Switzerland, and here is the Management Committee list.
www.uci.ch/templates/UCI/UCI1/layout.asp?MenuId=MTI2Njc&LangId=1
  • 20
 i dont understand how they can survive with doing such things. Its time the sponsorship companies listen to their customers and stop supporting the UCI
  • 20
 If all pro riders ride a non UCI event, then they will all be suspended, then nobody will attend any UCI events, so the UCI proves to be useless.
  • 10
 Let me correct you, the uci is useless
  • 40
 Well I just saved $120 this year.
  • 10
 Sorry, I tried to find the answer in the comments, but there are A LOT of comments, so I'm not sure if this has been answered yet. In Canada, is our CCA license considered a UCI license?
  • 40
 The UCI can suck my balls
  • 30
 mines too
  • 10
 mine thrice
  • 10
 They can suck all our balls
  • 20
 Like the dinosaurs who once ruled the earth these sanctioning bodies are due for their own extinction ...it may happen this year.
  • 20
 Is it up to each national cycling association (british cycling, etc) to up hold the rule of the UCI? If so can they choose to ignore it?
  • 10
 They most cerlainly should
  • 10
 Fuck the UCI, cycling is a sport and a lifestyle and no baldy 4 eyed faggot can take that away from us, UCI should either sort this out or just seaze to exist PS. NORBS GOT MOTHER FUCKING ROBBED
  • 20
 BIG MISTAKE UCI- WINDSURFING DID THAT YEARS AGO AND NOW THE WHOLE COMPETITION SCENE HAS FALLEN APART. GET YOUR EGOS IN CHECK PLEASE!!!!!!
  • 10
 Just the facts please....

But can someone please link me a posting of why the UCI introduced this rule please. I'd just like to know both sides of the story before I mouth off.

Thanks Smile
  • 10
 They want to maintain a monopoly. They are trying to prevent any other racing organization from ever being able to form. Because they are the biggest, they can get away with it and somewhat successfully prevent pro racers from participating in and thus growing interest in non-UCI events. The end goal is to be the one and only bike racing governing body on the planet. They are trying to eliminate all races that don't pay for UCI authorization.
  • 10
 The cycling bodies that should be promoting our sport as a whole are just like all the other corporations on the planet - In it for them selves and the benefit of them selves - what a joke.
  • 20
 Give 'em hell via the internets! Twitter: @UCI_Cycling is one means. Spread the word that UCI is run by manical crooks.
  • 40
 UCI is so lame.....
  • 30
 f*ck UCI..I'm too fast...I'm running my own class. Who's want to join me?
  • 20
 so curious, what gave UCI god like power to rule other peoples lives and choices?
  • 10
 UCI is the new Health and safety. Next they will be sanctioning speeds to safe limits and placing speed cameras at world cups... what a load of bull.
  • 20
 i dont even race, however, fuck this shit. UCI is a bunch of money grubbing bastards
  • 20
 I know what the C in UCI must stand for but I dont know about the U or the I
  • 10
 they must be silent...
  • 10
 Or is it UCI trying to get more grassroots events to become sanctioned and then in turn making the racing public have to buy UCI licences?
  • 20
 wow, holy bike Nazis Batman...Just be good little slaves now, everything will be okay :p
  • 20
 why don't Redbull step in and tell them where to go. Im sure this will affect many of their riders!
  • 10
 Who needs uci? Make redbull the new uci mountain biking will just go up
  • 10
 In my experience all the UCI and its affiliates do is tax MTB, BMX etc and spend the money on road. Such a shame the MTB still has anything to do with these wankers.
  • 20
 Anyone who want's to enjoy biking as an amateur or pro and want's to keep it fun, will kick UCI's butt right now.
  • 30
 The UCI has a stick up its ass.
  • 30
 Want to know the teams reactions!
  • 40
 bye bye UCI
  • 40
 Hey, UCI, Fuck you.
  • 30
 I hope UCI are reading this. You F#@#ing Trolls!
  • 30
 Who the fuck needs uci they can go do bloody road cycling!
  • 10
 What does this mean for Enduro World Series? Or is that series sanctioned by the UCI? Regardless, the UCI seems to have a monopoly on pro mtn bike racing.
  • 30
 UCI April Fools was 5 days ago !!!
  • 60
 The UCI act like pricks the other 364 days of the year too.
  • 10
 Wow still dumb. So dumb I mean of your in te same class as a pro at a local event and beat him you get talking and that opens doors.
  • 10
 I do not understand the situation. It was a slow, light sport, and they are doing this knows what. In my opinion is a bad idea because doing this by limiting work
  • 10
 We dont need the UCI anyway, cycling is a sport and a lifestyle not a business, as long as we have mountains and bikes the sport is safe
  • 20
 Fucking UCI, how greedy is that. It seems like they just want exclusive rights over pro riders.
  • 10
 Next up: UCI ruling bans registered riders from riding their local trails.
Followed by: UCI fines registered riders for touching their bike any day other than Sunday.
  • 20
 let's make a deal: give us mtb and you can have Lance and all the other dope pushing pussies back...
f**king nazis...
  • 10
 so we wont have riders like atherton in rampage? and crankworx wont have andy world cup riders so wont be half as good!

U nited
C u*ts
I nstitution
  • 10
 UCI should make decisions for the riders This is clearly a decision or themselves. Shape up and make decisions that benefit riders not harm the sport.
  • 20
 UCI = Ultimate Cycling Inneptness
  • 10
 whats the point, surely they already get loads of money from the sanctioned events why cant they just leave us alone!!!
  • 20
 That was a reiteration, not a clarification
  • 20
 does anyone wanna explain this to me in english?
  • 20
 Well, imagine we are all jews, and the UCI is Hitler... pretty much covers it.
  • 30
 UCI is fucking lame.
  • 30
 Uci=spandex clad dopers
  • 10
 so what does my 150 bucks do for me that i gave UCI for my 2013 licence? ? gref
  • 10
 I call for all Pros and other UCI/USAC licensed cyclists to enter events as "Pat McQuaid"
  • 20
 This is totally ridiculous what losers
  • 20
 Time to rid of the UCI in mountain biking.
  • 21
 North Korea?.....yeah right, Obama, Jay-Z, and an anonymous group of Zionist Jews run the UCI......everyone knows that
  • 20
 Took the wrong pills again moron ?
  • 20
 fucking communism is what this is
  • 20
 this is RACIAL DISCRIMINATION!!!
  • 10
 I see what you did there.
  • 20
 i will say again: f*ck UCI!
  • 10
 This is just their way of trying to make the Enduro World Series join the UCI
  • 10
 Just heard that they have done a U-Turn and changed their minds after listening to feedback from people like us...
  • 10
 But really how will they find out?
  • 10
 Published results?
  • 160
 Race under an alias? like: "XXXBERMDESTROYERXXX"
  • 20
 UCI = Ziltoid!
  • 10
 does this mean no racers at crankworx this year?
  • 10
 Pretty sure Cdn Open is Canada Cup finals, so sanctioned....although not sure about Garbo
  • 10
 What about Crankworks? No Steve Smith?
  • 10
 It's a The Canadian Open, he should be fine.
  • 10
 The Canadian Open sure, but not the A-Line, Garbanzo or Dual Slalom. No UCI licensed riders would be permitted to enter those. So eliminate the entire pro class of men and women.
  • 10
 CCA Sanctions the entire event does it not ?
  • 20
 What about rampage? Fairclough and Gee may not be able to compete!!
  • 20
 From the Crankworx website FAQ:

DO I NEED A LICENSE?
None of the races or competitions are sanctioned and therefore UCI licenses are not required. Likewise, competitors will not be covered by their UCI insurance (if applicable) during training and competition. All out of country competitors must have emergency medical / health insurance.
An EMBA (Enduro Mountain Bike Association) membership will be required for those wishing to collect Enduro World Series Points.
  • 30
 What about the Megavalanche? Lots of pros both xc and dh race that too. Seriously UCI, doing their best to divide and conquer. Strangling 4X, inept promotion of track racing, contempt with DH/XC/BMX. People go to the races to watch the racing, or race themselves. These asshats that turned a blind eye to the disgrace that is pro road racing should all go. NOBODY on 2 wheels is better off with the UCI.
  • 10
 what about put a contract out on UCI leaders...we could make them rest burried under an enduro track... Serioulsy, it could be so easy to create a specific MTB federation...
  • 11
 say what? now you are going ballistic! you should call George Lucas about setting up a new Federation! and JarJar!
  • 20
 Ja Voll Lord UCI!!!
  • 10
 *pinkbike explodes into angry seething rage*

but seriously this is BS
  • 10
 guess we gonna find out if the "Bike" companies care about the sport or about the bottom line...if they say nothing, continue to buy Santa Cruz, Specialised, Trekks, and some other prolific brands.....you will contribute to the cause of the UCI ruling the world, if them bike companies dont stand upa nd unite against the evil UCI snail snorting empire! fakkall!
  • 10
 What will happen about rampage?
  • 10
 so glad the endure world series going to have nothing to do with UCI
  • 20
 UCI lick my balls
  • 20
 FUCK U UCI!
  • 10
 UNLIKE THE UCI FB PAGE!!!!!!
  • 10
 bye bye UCI, like enduro07 said, "NO soup 4 YOU"!!!
  • 10
 leave it to "organization" to suck the fun out of what we love.
  • 10
 lets skip this UCI thing...
  • 10
 Who else will stand with SHO AIR?
It only takes 20%.
  • 11
 UCI are so jealous of the best riders in the world
  • 11
 silly, won't hold up. lets move on
  • 10
 NO soup for YOU!!!!
  • 10
 Iz just messed up
  • 10
 Swiss francs. Really?
  • 10
 Fascist racing...huh
  • 11
 UCI is an abomination
  • 11
 there killing thereself.
  • 12
 Oh You..... See Eye
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