UCI Threatens to Impose 'Disciplinary Measures' on Licensed Riders Who Compete in FIM eMTB Series
The UCI today has released a statement which expresses its "surprise and disappointment" over the recent announcement of an FIM e-MTB race series and has threatened to punish any racer that competes in it.
Cycling's governing body has already sanctioned a number of e-mtb national championships, integrated ebikes into its rulebook and awarded the first ebike World Championships to Mont Sainte Anne later this year. As such, it "wishes to make it clear that E-mountain bike (electrically-assisted mountain bike) is one of the disciplines under its auspices."
The FIM, the International Motorcycle Federation, has also planted its e-mtb flag by announcing its own ebike series last week that will be run alongside motocross GPs starting at Imola, Italy, in August. The FIM claim they will be able to draw a crowd of 20,000 and will stream the races live to MXGP-TV.com and to their Facebook MXGP Page that has more than 2.5 million followers. Read more about it here.
Julien Absalon winning the maiden, UCI sanctioned e-mtb French Nationals. Photo UCI/Patrick Pichon
Both governing bodies are aiming to use the same Class 1 limited ebikes and both are also applying World Cup status to their events, bringing them into direct competition.
The UCI apparently notified the FIM in September 2017 that it considered e-mtb events to come exclusively under its jurisdiction however, this does not seem to have stopped the FIM creating its series. When interviewed, the FIM said it did not anticipate any conflict with the UCI however, the UCI has now said that events registered on the FIM calendar or those of its member Federations will be considered “banned events” and any UCI-licensed rider participating in one of these events will "risk disciplinary measures".
 | I am delighted by the boom currently enjoyed by E-mountain bike, a specialty that enables a new public to take up mountain biking – a demanding discipline – and which is also appreciated by high-level riders. The UCI means to develop this activity which, as with other forms of cycling, comes under its exclusive jurisdiction.” |
With both factions set to tussle for ownership of ebike racing, it's clear that motorized bicycles are a valuable proposition. We'll update you with any news as the racing season gets underway.
Full Statement
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to make it clear that E-mountain bike (electrically-assisted mountain bike) is one of the disciplines under its auspices.
E-mountain bike is firmly entrenched in the cycling family: numerous well-known bicycle brands produce bikes used by enthusiasts of this speciality, and several National Federations affiliated to the UCI have already organised National Championships for the discipline, won by specialists of mountain bike cross-country Olympic (XCO), such as France’s double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon.
To encourage the development of this popular activity among cyclists of all levels, the UCI integrated E-mountain bike into its Regulations (Part IV: Mountain bike events) on 1 January 2019 and awarded the 2019 edition of the UCI E-Mountain Bike World Championships to Mont Sainte-Anne (Canada) which will organise the first edition of this competition in August as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz. Events, several of them grouped under the WES E-Bike Series, have been registered on the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar, and a UCI World Cup and Continental Championships will be organised from 2020.
In the light of the strong development of the discipline, the UCI was very surprised and disappointed by the announcement made by the International Motorcycling Federation (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – FIM) concerning the organisation of an FIM E-Bike Enduro World Cup in France on 1-2 June, with no regulatory basis.
The UCI had already notified the FIM in September 2017 that it considered E-mountain bike events to come exclusively under its jurisdiction and that the respective roles of the two International Federations (UCI and FIM) were clear and would not be called into question.
The UCI Regulation, approved by its Management Committee in September 2018, stipulates that an E-mountain bike’s electric motor must not exceed 250 watts and that pedalling assistance is permitted up to a maximum speed of 25km/h. This definition corresponds with the applicable European regulations (EN-15194), which gives an unequivocal definition of a “pedal cycle with pedal assistance” (cycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h).
The UCI wishes to announce that events in domains under its exclusive jurisdiction that are registered on the FIM calendar or those of its member Federations will be considered “banned events” in line with its Regulation. Consequently, any UCI-licensed rider participating in one of these events would risk disciplinary measures.
Commenting on this subject, the UCI President David Lappartient declared: “I am delighted by the boom currently enjoyed by E-mountain bike, a specialty that enables a new public to take up mountain biking – a demanding discipline – and which is also appreciated by high-level riders. The UCI means to develop this activity which, as with other forms of cycling, comes under its exclusive jurisdiction.”
Meanwhile, double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon declared: “Electrically-assisted mountain bike is a new challenge for me. I won the first French Championships and I cannot wait for the UCI World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne in September. In 10 years’ time I will be able to say, “I was there!” Electrically-assisted mountain bike is an extension of cross-country Olympic. It’s good that bodies such as the UCI take new practices seriously. The manufacturers, athletes, and public are there. The electric bike is a social phenomenon that contributes to the development of our sport. It is great that it is also recognised at the highest level.”
Francesco Di Biase, organiser of the WES E-Bike Series said: “We join the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar for the first time this season with several rounds. We are expecting a very high-level field of international athletes. We are very proud of this recognition from international bodies and intend to continue working hand in hand with the UCI for the development of electrically-assisted mountain bike.”
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On one side f*ck it, mopeds belong where the things with a motor/engine are, not the UCI.
But also, MX have more audience and they'll be more popular under FIM than thry'd be under the UCI.
Also, I won't waste an ocassion to say how much UCI sucks
"Dear UCI, bite me."
www.wired.co.uk/article/porn-block-uk-wired-explains
—Every single UCI official
"I don't actually ride bikes, but I love being a pretensious prick about regulating those that do."
—Every single UCI official
for many riders, dh wins for stoke, hands down, so if you want more of it, e-bikes aren't lame, they're the most badass improvement to mtb yet. And in 10 years, the vast majority of all the haters and curmudgeons will be saying, "I can't believe these things used to not have pedal assist!"
1. if you need and engine you're in the wrong sport
2. quantity vs quality? pushing a 20+ kg hog or a nimble 13 kg? Anyway, can I chose or I'll have to rely on your choice of quantity vs mine? Ask you're wife for clues.
3. if they're in better shape and "shred" faster, why the engine? maybe you're in the wrong sport (again I enfatize).
4. spandex is everywhere in all part of biking, just in different shapes. But yeah, if you're into cycling and BICYCLES you either embrace that fact - that it's human powered - or call it another thing, add an engine, create another sport. No one forced you to do it, you can always pick golf, or swimming. Don't change the rules because you can't adapt.
5. and once it for all, it's not hate or about haters it's an opinion - probably a opinion that you might hate to hear. That's life. Stop running away from arguments and call others haters, its kinda childish and spoiled.
1: don't need, want. And why wrong sport? Are you that critical of bike parks and shuttling downhill bikes? Even if so, "wrong sport" still makes no sense. You're saying it's not allowed to have it's own sport?
2: Prove to me the quality of riding an ebike is worse than the quality of a "nimble" bike. I've ridden both and the ebike is more planted and prefer it. Don't like it, don't ride it.
3: So you can't be in good shape and ride an ebike? And again, what is this nonsense of "wrong sport" lol
4: It is called another thing: "e-bike." Still have no idea what your point is besides hate for something you have no knowledge of.
Your arguments make zero logical sense, along with all the other ebike hating that's going on. All of you will be riding one in a few years once you've been on one and realize you can do 3x the distance and thus become a better rider (repetition is the key to learning) in shorter time on one.
Lack of logical sense?
1. It's the wrong sport, I'm sorry to say, because you know, bicycles are human powered. Where did you read you're not allowed to have its own sport? You do, just don't call it what it isn't.
By the way, who mentioned lifts, shuttles or downhill bikes? They're like a really small fraction of all the bike riding done in the whole world. I've never been in one and I've been MTBing since the early 90s.
A bicycle doesn't have a motor -> FACT
2. Quality over quantity -> is it a sin? I don't have to prove you anything, as I've said, it's an opinion, don't hate if you don't prefer my choices. I'm just stating it.
3. You can be in good shape, I just fail to understand why the engine when you need it to "do more", "go faster", "don't shuttle" or "use lifts". We're you in shape in the first place? Guess not.
4. I'll say it again, every point is explained and based on my opinion (just like your post has yours and I don't call it hate to bicycle riders like me), again, it's not hate. If it was hate I would say "burn them all", "ban them from the trails", "I don't care what they say, they should disappear".
That's hate and you won't find a single line like that in my posts.
keep riding, keep whatever you want, just don't call it mountain biking because it fundamentally isn't and this FIM / UCI just proves it.
1: ebikes are human powered. And it's called "ebiking,"which I already told you. Furthermore, why does what it's called matter? What difference does calling it something else make? Call it "not real mountain biking" if you want, doesn't change what it is. Semantics.
2: you're the one making the claim that the "quality" is better in some way. I'm telling you it isn't. Yes it's an opinion, but yours isn't based on experience thus it's an ignorant one.
3: why the "engine" has already been covered. You can cover 3x the ground in the same time with an assist, thus more stoke and progressing faster at the sport.
4: don't know what "rules" you were referring to in your original post, but it's called ebiking and it is becoming another sport hence UCI and FIM fighting over who "owns" it. Still have no idea what point you're trying to make here. Yeah everyone has their own opinion, but that doesn't mean opinions can't be based on ignorance and fallacies, which yours are.
Have you noticed that I haven't made a single remark on what you are, what you do, and what are your experiences with this or that? It's the little diferences, you see. You assume to much for a reasonable conversation, argue more with arguments and less ad hominem.
Ah, and if there's an engine, some one has to actuate it. So human powered? By that logic so it's my car! ;D
f*ck UCI in the Bee hole
There's a lot of ignorance surrounding ebikes and none of it is based on facts. I get land access issues but once regulators determine where they can and can't be what will it matter? The best trails aren't sanctioned to begin with, and I'm willing to bet most of the people who claim it will shut places down ride illegal trails. I've been reading the ebike hate on this site since the beginning and, if you're honest to yourself, you will see none of it is based on truth or objectivity.
The fact is we ride bikes because it's fun. Ebikes allow you to ride much further in a given timeframe. They also fatigue you less so if you have the time, you can ride longer also. That's a fact. 99% of the hate is from people that don't own one. You wanna do 10k vert on your weekend ride without a car/lift, get an ebike. You wanna do 1/3rd of that, keep earning it.
And yes I stand by that remark. For me bikes are like sex, and in sex quality is always better than quantity, and if you think that is childish, try picture a grown up man pointing fingers to a foreigner trying to express in a different language than its own. What a hero.
Class 1 Ebike riders (which is what we're talking about here; pedal assisted bikes) are no more likely to ride like idiots downhill, than acoustic riders.
Aside from that- and the fact that most people session downhill sections, not technical uphills, which is why lift assisted bike parks are a thing, and uphill technical bike parks are not- my mentality is the same as yours in most respects I would guess. Riding my bike has been, and will always be, a huge part of my life. It's my sanity. Where we differ is that I take advantage of a new technological advancement that allows me to ride significantly more downhill, (as politely as an acoustic rider) in the same amount of time, than before. And I love riding even more now because of it. 3 or 4 times a week has become 5 or 6.
And maybe I am being a little stupid by labeling the ebike hating mentality as "spandex," but the only people who seem adverse to the idea of pedal assisted bikes are the ones who choose to die pedaling up a semantic hill by implying ebikes and their riders are not bikes or bicyclists, and that somehow, pedal-assist riders are responsible for the end of trail access, or are threatening the idea of bicycling as we know it. Fear of change, fear of the unknown, is what causes it.
(Deleting or editing also seems impossible via Chrome mobile version)
Clearly a motorized event. Ebikes or more correctly mopeds have motors. Prove they don't.
.
This sounds awfully like the UCI feeling threatened, they know the FIM is a much more professional organisation when it comes to off roading and they know they can't compete with the events the FIM will put on. So instead they're trying to threten the riders, if the FIM prize pot is big enough it will backfire on them, Julian Absalon's retired after all.
There's all sorts of legal infrastructure (Court for Arbitration in Sports and such), as well as national jurisdictions having a say in these matters. The nub here is whether eMTB is a cycling discipline or a motorcycling discipline, and because both FIM and UCI are governing bodies signed up to that system, this will probably eventually end up in the Court for Arbitration in Sports.
Here's where things get really fun - let's say your Specialized. You really really want eMTB to take off and become its own sport, with huge events and lots of bikes sold. So hey, that means you're rooting for FIM to win this one, because man, they do know how to put on a series and bring in BIG sponsorship money, right? Except if it does end up with FIM, then eMTB will forever be thought of as motorsport - and that will completely kill the campaign the whole industry has going on that's all about making it seem like it's just a way of making MTB accessible to all sorts of people, especially the aged or disabled, and there's really nothing to see here, and dear land managers just think of these things as bikes so people can use established MTB trails instead of being forced to go to moto trails (which would be intimidating to the target customers, what with all those motos zipping by them). Would love to play fly on the wall as they're trying to figure out how to play that.
Again - I don't have a dog in this fight. I'd rather not have lots of eMTBs on MTB trails, and I'm worried about access issues - but in terms of this whole UCI vs FIM thing, I'm mostly just grinning because hey, those bureaucrats deserve all the grief this is causing them.
Does the UCI own athletes' image rights? That could be something that would get in the way.
Two different things built for vastly different purpose.
I guessing you are having trouble discerning between the two?
mo·ped
/ˈmōˌped/
noun
noun: moped; plural noun: mopeds
a low-power, lightweight motorized bicycle.
Clearly they do.
See I can do that too.
'cept mine was a direct cut and paste from googles dictionary.
Yours is bullshit.
So it is indeed bullshit.
Just like alot of our shit media you want to define and name based on your feelings beliefs and agenda.
Haha! I just actually googled "emtb definition." I found your definition! From a Moped (ebike) company website!
"ebike," pedalec," "emtb," etc. are tradenames at best.
They're mopeds in the dictionary. And anybody who considers themselves a cyclist knows it's true.
Cause anybody with a larger then pea sized brain know they aren't the same.
They are not bicycles because they have motors.
Absolute truth.
must... resist.... urge to get political.
Ridiculous man. I make a conscious effort to be objective and civilized, and point out facts.
That said you seem like a dipshit.
Also, the UCI is stupid.
The moped definition confirmed
1. Moto companies will all get in the game (KTM already is) and they will sell high powered e-bikes and ignore the classification system which in fairness was not their invention. Anyone who disputes this please name one company which has succeeded by offering slower products than all their competitors.
2. One of these "bicycles" ridden at high speed by some irresponsible loser will take out a hiker, child or other trail user.
3. Lawsuits will follow and the trail in question will be closed for either e-bikers or all riders. Hopefully it will just impact the lardass crowd but I wouldn't be surprised if in some cases the trails are closed for all two-wheeled traffic. The argument that e-bikes are actually bikes will only help the Siera Club in their desire to say "See, I told you mountain biking is the root of all evil".
Sad but this could be the end of some of our favourite trails. Thanks you lazy f*cks!
In the UK, it is mandatory for ebike users to have insurance now I believe. The speed limiter allows them to be classified as ebikes and not motorcycles, and I think for that reason the speed limiter will remain on some models. Perhaps not all models or makes. Some companies will probably deviate from the "e-MTB" idea and head more into motorcycle territory, but legislation will certainly follow those bikes. You cannot beat the legislation these days. Have you seen that EU bullshit where they are going to introduce speed limiters in all new cars starting in 2022? It will literally make the car read speed limit signs and then prevent the car from exceeding said limit? That's why I believe the speed limit thing will remain at 25km/h.
Access wise, well we don't have great access anyway do we? Footpaths are off limits. Bridleways are on limits but I believe they are also on limits for motorcycles. Do mountain bikes have access to any public rights of way that motorcycles do not have access to? Trail centres are the only ones I can think of but correct me if I'm wrong.
I know it is different in different countries though, and certainly motorbikes scaring walkers is a big reason for mountain bikes getting banned in a lot of places around the world.
In my opinion, an ebike is a lot closer to a mountain bike than it is to a motorbike at this point in time but it could change. If they start making a lot more noise, for example, then I would probably get on the ebike bashing bandwagon too. As it stands I haven't got a problem with them. I wouldn't buy one just yet, but that's because they are too heavy. More Lapierre style bikes with the 18kg weight and removable battery thing could convince me.
Also, let's say I have a four hour ride planned up around the Yorkshire Dales. Starting from Addingham, with a normal bike maybe I can make it over the Roman Road to Skipton, out to Embsay, over the top to Rhylstone Cross, past the duck pond at Hetton and back to the car via Bolton Abbey. 70% of the ride is going to be spent on road or going uphill. Who knows how far afield I could make it on an ebike? Maybe over to Hellifield and Malham Tarn in the same time. I mean, why limit yourself?
It's not for everyone and obviously not for you, but you aren't everyone. You are you, I am me and someone else is himself. There is no accounting for taste.
@jaame: you don’t need insurance to in the uk to ride an ebike , you might need to take out a separate theft cover from your normal house insurance but that’s upto you !
m.pinkbike.com/news/emtb-third-party-insurance-in-europe-2018.html
Obviously it's not happened yet, but it will.
#brexitwillneverhappen might as well get that one in there!
I don't have an emtb and not planning to because they're expensive as f*ck but can imagine why I could use one. Let's say I drive an hour and a half to Forest of Dean, 3h for the round trip, and spend 5h out there. I can't say exactly as I never timed it but for argument's sake it's probably 15-20 min. to climb to the trail head. Most downhill trails there are doable under 4 min. I guess. All the breaks, eating and general faffing between runs will likely accumulate to 1h during the day. This leaves 8 short runs for an 8h day. Of course people are keen on doubling or tripling that number and that's why so many ride ebikes there. Which, by the way has never bothered me in the slightest on my normal bike. Why would it? People pass me on that fire road climb regardless of pedal assist or just being fitter
europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-17-5184_en.htm
"The European Commission has decided that International Skating Union (ISU) rules imposing severe penalties on athletes participating in speed skating competitions that are not authorised by the ISU are in breach of EU antitrust law. The ISU must now change these rules."
If you are a UCI enrolled racer who lives in the EU you can file the complaint. The link you posted has links to pages to file the complaint anonymously. Go for it!
Because ultimately this is entirely and only about money and control.
Sweet moped race, yo.
Would an extra 2.5 million viewers not help promote our fantastic sport?
Take boxing for example and it’s recent boost in popularity, yet there is multiple federations/organisations.
What sport is that? Motorcycling (or motor cycling)? That's not my fantastic sport at all.
Motor is a electric motor hence eBikes are motorcycles
The enginecycles were derived from bicycles with engines fabricated onto them but enginecycle just doesn’t quite sound right does it?
UCI really needs to rethink there stance on this.
secondly, where is the problem?
They can say - E-MTB is just with assistance to 20kmh, 50% of power and like 2kWh AND then...
E-(moto)BIKE is where u dont need pedal so much, assist till 50kmh with 80% of power and 20kWh capacity,
THEN every asociation can have theirs E-something-bike and there will be no colision between contenders!
but still... e-mtb is for grannies, event organisers, trailbuilders etc, special people, not so much for just lazy people...
Maybe about time for a none capitalistic governing body, or are they too dumb to realize it is not about them?
WONDER how much EWS got too sell out?
God forbid there are options to take talented bike riders and give more opportunity for exposure, sponsorship, and competition to make events better. UCI is awful.
FIM has two categories: E1 for >250w output, and E2 for 250w output. And, FIM's enduro is a format that is classically considered to be "enduro", not bicycling's bastardization of the format. Good luck in court, UCI.
What a joke an e-bike race.
Our current trails are not designed to handle twice the number of users
Oh wait..MXGP attracts more spectators and a worldwide television audience.
I guess that leaves the UCI to do what it always does in these types of situations.
Blame the riders and punish THEM
Like limited wheel base lengths to try and prevent recumbents and shit. Forcing anyone over a certain height to ride less then par bikes. That were also kinda dangerous and twitchy
If it doesn’t make him money it will soon be dropped.
Screw them both. Not gonna stop me from get out there and pedaling (that can be applied to both analogue MTB or eMTB).
Sport is something you do, not watch.
Screw them both. Not gonna stop me from get out there and pedaling (that can be applied to both analogue MTB or eMTB).
Sport is something you do, not watch.
Let’s not stereotype who rides one. I’ll try one but would never buy one, at least not now, maybe when I’m 80. Technically not a bike.
This is just UCI wanting to have their fingers in every pie and have total control over all racing.
Not sure if it's still a rule.. But they used to say elite uci racers could not compete at local level races that were not sanctioned by uci or Usac... such crap.
Oh, that’s right, we really don’t.
So then why do you guys seem to care?
I’ve got a Pivot Shuttle in my garage and I still couldn’t give a shite about ebike racing.
and having fun. Doesn’t matter if downhiller, enduro, xc or e-biker or even a roadie. Together we are stronger.
Go out and ride. Amen
Well said. I really think all the gear hate on here is just youngsters that can’t afford the latest or greatest or to have multiple bikes.
It’s a simple case of envy ( not enve).
And Strava times...
Contrary to what the muppet e-bike haters on PB will say (without ever riding one) pedal assist e-bikes are WAY more bicycle than motorbike or even moped. Like 95% bicycle IMHO.
I definitely would side with the UCI. Having FIM embrace e-bikes would make them "motorbikes" in the general publics eyes which is would be sad because they simply aren't in their current form.
Anyone doubting this should check out Josh Hill on Instagram ripping his E-motocross bike and then watch any pedal assist e-bike vid they wish for comparison.