March 27/14 16:20 pm - PCC Meets to Review Reform of Pro Road Cycling

Posted by Editoress on 03/27/14
 

Yesterday, we reported on the plans to reform the structure of pro men's road racing [see Daily News - UCI Announces Implementation Plan for Changes to Men's Road Racing]. Today, the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) met to discussed the proposed program of reform:

The Professional Cycling Council (PCC) met in Montreux (Switzerland) on March 26th and 27th. It was the first time that the PCC, presided by David Lappartient, has met since it was newly composed.

In opening, UCI President Brian Cookson and Mr Lappartient reminded members of the reform's objectives: to reinforce the credibility, clarity, and ethics of professional road cycling.

The PCC members decided that the new terms of reference that the UCI ProTeams and organisers of UCI WorldTour events will eventually have to adhere to, shall go through a test phase before being adopted permanently. This is an important step in the reform of professional road cycling.

The teams' terms of reference contain a certain number of rules that aim to change the culture of professional cycling in order to guarantee it is ethical. In particular, it is a question of obligations concerning the organisation of teams (composition and distribution of tasks), the preparation of riders (workload and care provided) as well as the employment and the certification of team personnel.

As for the terms of reference for the organisers, it covers the following areas: logistics, accommodation, organisation standards, security, television production and broadcast, public attendance and budget. It is the first time that such a document exists for organisers.

From the end of the 2016 season, the teams will be evaluated according to the new terms of reference in view of their registration for 2017. The terms of reference will be the object of a test phase during the two years beforehand: by some 10 voluntary UCI ProTeams at the end of 2014 in the perspective of registration for 2015, and by all UCI ProTeams at the end of 2015 for registration in 2016. These two seasons of experience will enable the final content of the terms of reference to be established. The teams will be able to use this period to adapt to the new rules before they become an obligation.

The organisers will have to respect their terms of reference from the end of the 2016 season with a view to registration for 2017. All of them will have tested the terms of reference the year before, before they become an obligation.

Moreover, the PCC imposed a moratorium on the subject of new UCI WorldTour events. Event organisers wishing their race to join this series will have to wait until 2017 to have the possibility to join the first division.

The PCC also validated a selection process for UCI ProTeams according to sporting criteria for the next two years: In 2015, the 16 best teams of the 2014 UCI WorldTour ranking will be given UCI ProTeam status (providing that they satisfy other necessary criteria). The two remaining places will be awarded to the two teams (UCI ProTeams, UCI Professional Continental Teams or new teams) with the highest accumulated points total from their best five riders on the UCI WorldTour individual ranking. The same system will be used in 2016.

From 2015, the name UCI ProTeam will be replaced by UCI WorldTeam while awaiting a permanent name from 2017.

Finally, the PCC affirmed its agreement with the philosophy and objectives of the MPCC (Mouvement Pour un Cyclisme Crédible), presided over by Roger Legeay and which comprises 11 UCI ProTeams and 16 UCI Professional Continental Teams determined to fight against doping. There will be reinforced consultation with the MPCC concerning regulations.