Pro riders' association says it can't back UCI reforms

Professional riders’ association the CPA says it cannot back the UCI’s programme of reform of professional cycling unless all stakeholders in the sport agree to it.

The organisation made its announcement in the wake of last week’s decision by Tour de France owners ASO to pull its races from the WorldTour from 2017.

> ASO pulls Tour de France from WorldTour

In a statement, the CPA disagreed with the UCI’s assertion that the reforms, announced earlier this month, had been reached with the agreement of all stakeholders in the sport.

They include WorldTour licences being awarded for three years, plus changes to the calendar.

It added that its own initial backing for the changes had been given on the understanding that all parties endorsed them, and said that the new guidelines issued by the UCI “are radically different from the original project.”

The CPA also said that its president, Italian former pro Gianni Bugno had not received a response from the governing body regarding the organisation’s concerns over the so-called Velon Addendum.

That document from the joint venture partnership between 11 WorldTour teams was leaked by the Italian website Tuttobici in October, and constituted an add-on to riders’ existing contracts but one that some see as severely restricting riders' employment rights and earning power.

The CPA it insists it is “unacceptable and unlawful in regards of the rights of the athletes,” and has urged its members not to sign it.

It urged the UCI “to open the dialogue with all parties who have a sincere desire to participate constructively in the reform of cycling, to give our sport the respect it deserves.”