11 major teams considering plans to break away from the UCI

[Bassman]

Vaughters and Zomegnan refuse to rule out the creation of separate professional league

 

International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaidaccused several team managers of plotting to breakaway from the UCI and set-up an alternative ProTour in his open letter to riders on Friday.

 

It seems his fears are well founded.

 

Cyclingnews understands that at least 11 major teams are considering the creation of new, more commercially driven and innovatively managed structure to run men’s professional cycling.

 

This could result in professional cycling following a similar path to that of Premier League soccer in Britain, the NBA in the United States or Formula 1 motor racing; where the sport is run as a business by a private company rather than under the control of an international governing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

 

The teams are staying tight-lipped on their plans at the moment but any breakaway league would have to include many of the current ProTeams and the major races on the professional calendar for it to succeed.

 

Cyclingnews spoke to Angelo Zomegnan, the head of RCS Sports Cycling Events Manager. He admitted he had talked to people involved in the breakaway project but was reticent about giving away any details.

 

“I've drank quite a few coffees with lots of different people in the last few days, but the project hasn't been presented to us yet. Before we can really sit down and discuss it, we need to know what they've got in mind,” he said.

 

“There is a risk of a breakaway from the UCI, of course there is. But it's early to talk about it and RCS Sport is obliged to stay on the side of the sport that has been created by the national and international federations.”

 

Cyclingnews contacted several teams but they refused to confirm if they are part of the 11 renegade teams but indicated that the management of professional cycling has to change.

 

The UCI currently regulates every aspect of the sport, including professional cycling. It controls the race calendar, decides which teams have ProTeam status and even makes the rules on bikes design and anti-doping.

 

It seems that the teams do not want to completely breakaway from the UCI, but want to decide how the highest level of the sport is run and want to control its long-term development.

 

The teams believe the UCI should focus on managing the non-professional aspects of cycling, such as track racing and amateur racing, supported by the funding they receive from the International Olympic Committee and from organising the annual world championships.

 

So far, UCI President Pat McQuaid has refused to concede any ground to the rebel teams on either the use of race radio or the much wider issue of governance of the sport.

 

He is supported by former UCI President Hein Verbruggen, who is now the President of Sport Accord, the umbrella organisation that helps international federations with expert advice and a wide range of services.

 

In his open letter to riders published last Friday, McQuaid warned them against joining with the teams in any attempt to seize control of professional cycling from the UCI. However, many of the riders, like the major teams, are tired of the UCI’s dictates.

 

Tour de France is the key

 

The Tour de France is by far the biggest and most lucrative event in professional cycling and would have to be part of any new breakaway organisation for it to succeed. The teams know this, Tour de France organiser Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO) knows this and so does the UCI. <br style="color: rgb(34, 30, 31); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; "><br style="color: rgb(34, 30, 31); font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; ">After years of tension, ASO is now on good terms with the UCI and Cyclingnews understands that ASO Director of Cycling Christian Prudhomme attended the UCI's PCC meeting in Milan last Thursday. However he has also spoken to several team managers.

 

ASO always vehemently defends its right to own and control the television rights for its races but may be willing to concede a part of their income in return for a role in any possible breakaway ProTour that could generate much bigger income for everyone involved.

 

Giro d’Italia organiser RCS Sport, the Amgen Tour of California organizer AEG and Flanders Classics NV, which organizes the Tour of Flanders and other Belgian Classics, would also play a key role in the success of any breakaway ProTour.

 

Vaughters stays pragmatic

 

Garmin-Cervelo team manager Jonathan Vaughters is the head of the Association International des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels (AIGCP) that represents the leading professional teams. He has tried to talk to the UCI about the race radio issue but has also admitted there is a power struggle going on between the UCI and the teams.

 

Vaughters pointed out the many difficulties of creating a breakaway ProTour but refused to rule it out.

 

"I'm from America, and I grew up with the (National Football League) NFL and the (National Basketball Association) NBA. The league model of sports certainly seems better for the athletes and for the teams than what is currently occurring in cycling right now, without a doubt. But the pragmatic intermediate steps (to create an independent league) are many," he told Cyclingnews.

 

“They (the UCI) are the governing body of the sport. They're the IOC-designated body of international cycling. I think the most productive step for the AIGCP is to continue to push to improve governance, to improve regulations and improve treatment by the UCI.

 

"But we'd be crazy not to consider it. When you're treated poorly, you've got to consider the relationship, right? Ultimately you've got say 'Is this the best thing for the sport? As of right now, I can't answer of that with any surety."

 

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[TNT1]

Cyclingnews understands that at least 11 major teams are considering the creation of new, more commercially driven and innovatively managed structure to run men’s professional cycling.

 

This could result in professional cycling following a similar path to that of Premier League soccer in Britain, the NBA in the United States or Formula 1 motor racing; where the sport is run as a business by a private company rather than under the control of an international governing body recognised by the International Olympic Committee.

 

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/11-major-teams-considering-plans-to-break-away-from-the-uci

[AndreZA]

So they will do anything to entertain the fans. Throw open to drugs and stupid costumes.

[I-FELT-the-FORCE]

OOOHHH! Troubles in the little paradise!! Who is in the market for some "roids". This could elevate cycling to new heights, with bionic men in tights

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Hmmmm, seems like a bit of "discord in the ranks".

 

.....but I have to wonder, why would it be better to be independant.? This is not a monster money making sport like American Baseball, Football, or Basketball, which draw millions of fans every week to stadiums all over the country, cycling dos not have this kind of crowd drawing possibility as its out on the open road and no-one pays to watch, so I cant see where (a)the funding will come from and (b)as they will all be mates, who will police it.?

[TNT1]

(a)the funding will come from and (b)as they will all be mates, who will police it.?

 

From the race organisers, same as now, As I understand it, the AIGCP will run it, as in the teams themselves will set up a structure. The sooner mcquaid and co get the boot, the better.

[Stevief]

Hmmmm, seems like a bit of "discord in the ranks".

 

.....but I have to wonder, why would it be better to be independant.? This is not a monster money making sport like American Baseball, Football, or Basketball, which draw millions of fans every week to stadiums all over the country, cycling dos not have this kind of crowd drawing possibility as its out on the open road and no-one pays to watch, so I cant see where (a)the funding will come from and (b)as they will all be mates, who will police it.?

1)The main issue comes down to the negotioaton of Tv sponsorships ie what percentage goes to the teams versus the organisers etc.

2) The actual rules and regulations can now be agreed upon by the teams themselves eg use of team radios etc.

3) The management of the drug culture will now be in house this could lead to a free for all or it could actually lead to a gentlemans agreement that certain substances and practices will be tolerated and punishment or expulsion can also be swifter and transparent with an inhouse format.

 

All in all i think its a good idea.

 

FIFA for example have completely lost touch with what fans want from football (technology etc) and its only a mtter of time before the BIG clubs start forming their own bodies and breakaway leagues.

Edited March 22, 2011 by Stevief

[kosmonooit]

So cycling becomes big time $ entertainment.

 

Its a pity.

[Klaus]

I'm all for it - I agree that the pro cycling should be run like a business. To many people telling others what to do while not listening to the teams and the fans !

 

If it makes our sport larger and brings about more awareness for cycling in general then I'm all for it

 

(maybe one day we can get decent coverage rather than watching month old cricket/golf replays)

 

(On the radio issue why dont they just allow it but do similar to nascar and allow the broadcast of the radio traffic to the media and fans !)

[Tuxstir]

Hmmmm, seems like a bit of "discord in the ranks".

 

.....but I have to wonder, why would it be better to be independant.? This is not a monster money making sport like American Baseball, Football, or Basketball, which draw millions of fans every week to stadiums all over the country, cycling dos not have this kind of crowd drawing possibility as its out on the open road and no-one pays to watch, so I cant see where (a)the funding will come from and (b)as they will all be mates, who will police it.?

 

 

remeber not all the funding from things like fifa, nba etc come from ticket sales... a large portion of funding comes from the sale of merchandice.

i'm for it been run as a bussiness. if run right it can draw more attetion to cycling and draw a wider audience. ..

wouldnt mind hearing my boss say we closing down early today.. must go watch the cycling..

instead of the usual rugby/cricket/soccer

[GrumpyOldGuy]

1)The main issue comes down to the negotioaton of Tv sponsorships ie what percentage goes to the teams versus the organisers etc.

2) The actual rules and regulations can now be agreed upon by the teams themselves eg use of team radios etc.

3) The management of the drug culture will now be in house this could lead to a free for all or it could actually lead to a gentlemans agreement that certain substances and practices will be tolerated and punishment or expulsion can also be swifter and transparent with an inhouse format.

 

All in all i think its a good idea.

 

 

Yeah, I dont know much about the ins and outs so I am neither for, nor against it, but it just seems strange to me, why try and re-invent the wheel by doing something that the UCI is already doing, maybe there are flaws (there always will be) but, at least the structure is there, and it has, in my opinion anyway, some legitimacy with general fans, organisers and supporters around the world.

 

Starting an entire new structure means they have no history, no legitimacy, no track record for supporters / organisers to base their decisions / opinions on, certainly people could easily doubt their motives in this situation.?

Edited March 22, 2011 by GrumpyOldGuy

[TNT1]

 

 

Starting an entire new structure means they have no history, no legitimacy, no track record for supporters / organisers to base their decisions / opinions on, certainly people could easily doubt their motives in this situation.?

 

The sport has more than enough legitimacy and fan base in Europe. In the heartland, the sport is a way of life, and the riders carry it. The sooner that this happens, or the UCI starts looking out for the sport instead of their back pockets the better.

 

Remember, this sport, as a mass market affair pre-dates most. The average Euro fan knows doping happens, and doesn't care, it's more than that. That's and example of how big, in the hearts and minds of some of us, this sport is. It's bigger than mcquaid, pound of dick, and all the rest.