Every year it sparks debate: why do riders who transfer teams have to wear their old team's kit until December 31, even though they are already fully integrated into their new team structure and training with their new squad? Well, that might soon be a thing of the past. For the first time, the UCI is working on a rule change.
This issue came onto the UCI's agenda at the request of the teams. They support changing the contract deadline to start on November 1, just after the last official UCI races of the year. Among others, Richard Plugge, CEO of Visma | Lease a Bike and chairman of the AIGCP (the association of pro teams), strongly advocated for this change.
And their voices are being heard, confirms Peter Van den Abeele, UCI Sports Director, to Knack. The matter was 'recently briefly discussed' at the latest meeting of the UCI Professional Council, he says.
"We are working on it with the AIGCP and the CPA, the riders’ union. The rule change will definitely happen, with contracts starting on November 1 instead of January 1. The exact year of implementation is still to be determined in consultation with all stakeholders," Van den Abeele explains.
