News that the UCI’s scheme to approve frame designs and oblige racers from the Pro Tour to the village kermesse to ride on a UCI-approved bike is set to go ahead. Only the reports say the costs of licencing have been reduced substantially, in some cases from 12,000 Swiss Francs down to 5,000. I can … Read more
“Embattled” is word to describe the UCI President. Often Pat McQuaid is on the back foot, having to fight a rearguard defence to protect his organisation. The sport’s governing body does plenty of good, from regulating quirky forms of indoor cycling to encouraging the sport in Indonesia but iceberg-like, it’s the area of pro cycling … Read more
Today is Groundhog Day. In the town of Punxsutawney in Pennsylvania a small rodent is used as a portent for the fate of the upcoming spring . The groundhog has just announced an early spring. Phil casts a shadow over pro cycling The term took on a new meaning following the 1993 film “Groundhog Day” … Read more
Ready to rock and roll Just a quick thought. Switzerland has long had a compulsory scheme where bikes have to be taxed and insured. Known in French as a vignette, cyclists have displayed a sticker on their bikes that’s been available in post offices each year, just as motorists need a sticker to use the … Read more
Eisel takes the lead Many riders are used to seeing Bernard Eisel take a lead. Only it’s more often during the late moments of a race, when the Austrian rider hits the front as part of Mark Cavendish’s sprint train. But this time Eisel has brought up a subject that many riders think about but … Read more
Not over, nor out There’s an argument between the teams and the UCI over the use of race radios, with the UCI wanting to ban their use in every race bar the World Tour calendar during 2011 and in all races from 2012. It’s now coming to a confrontation with the team association the AIGCP. … Read more
Melbourne might be 10 hours ahead of European time but a new Australian cycling team is already a year ahead when it comes to planning for 2012. The team is going under the label of Green Edge Cycling, something The Inner Ring was first to reveal. As a reminder Green Edge Cycling is being led … Read more
I covered the subject of the new UCI bike rules on Monday. To summarise, new rules are coming that require anyone racing to have a frame that has been approved for use by the UCI. The manufacturer has to submit their wares to Switzerland for approval. Anyone in a UCI-sanctioned road race, from the Tour … Read more
UPDATE added below at 18:00 CET I read about the scheme for UCI approval of bikes soon after it was announced and my first thought was that it sounded like an excessive procedure, that a governing body doesn’t need to validate equipment. After all, manufacturers can face prodigious law suits from customers if the product … Read more
“Can you explain the rules to me?”; “Si, Senor” As a follow-up to the news on Contador and the rules relating to the case, some are wondering if he will be able to defend his title next July. For example Cycling Weekly have said that the Spaniard is going to be listed as a Saxo-Sungard … Read more