The UCI have rewritten the rule ebook on rider transfers, threatening riders, groups and brokers with fines and suspensions in the event that they attempt to unilaterally break contracts and push by way of transfers.
The new guidelines have been apparently drafted after Cian Uijtdebroeks sparked a dispute with Bora-Hansgrohe, with the German staff finally agreeing to let the proficient younger Belgian be part of Visma-Lease a Bike.
The rising threat of groups poaching riders already below contract with rival groups and ever extra complicated employment legal guidelines, have been additionally components within the a number of pages of latest UCI guidelines governing transfers. Several riders, together with Wout Van Aert, have confronted authorized battles after making an attempt to interrupt their contracts previously.
The new guidelines quietly got here into pressure on June 17, with swathes of crimson ink highlighting the modifications.
The two so-called rider ‘registration durations’ stay, with the primary from 1 to fifteen August for in-season transfers and rider registration. The second lasts from 15 October to 31 December and applies to the registration of riders for the next yr.
There aren’t any particular guidelines on riders and their brokers speaking to different groups throughout an current contract and most big-name switch and rider contract negotiations for 2025 have been carried out and agreed upon. However, a change of groups can solely be introduced after August 1.
Any makes an attempt by riders and groups to unilaterally break their contracts will now be scrutinised by a UCI Arbitral Board, with the UCI detailing the punishment for any contract terminations deemed to be “illegal by the competent authority.”
“The rider and the UCI WorldTeam shall be collectively and severally responsible for the fee of compensation to the rider’s earlier staff for an quantity akin to the residual remuneration below the contract with the earlier staff. The quantity shall not be lower than six months’ wage,” the brand new guidelines state.
The UCI WorldTeam may be fined three months of the rider’s wage and banned from registering new riders for 12 months. Riders threat a three-month suspension from racing, whereas their brokers could possibly be fined the quantity of a rider’s month-to-month wage.
To keep away from a conflict with European employment legislation, riders can keep away from punishment if they modify groups with out a wage improve. However, the brand new guidelines and punishment act as a transparent deterrent towards riders and their brokers sparking an influence wrestle with their current groups to allow them to transfer to rival groups for a better wage.
