MADRID, 3 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The International Cycling Union (UCI) reminded the Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step teams on Tuesday that in a possible merger operation they must respect the “procedures and provisions provided for in the UCI regulations” and “guarantee compliance with the contractual provisions for all staff,” according to a statement.
“The UCI reminds that any operation of this type must respect the procedures and provisions established in the UCI Regulations which, in particular, make it possible to guarantee compliance with the contractual provisions for all the personnel of the teams in question (riders, but also management teams). and other personnel such as doctors, mechanics, sports assistants, drivers), which is of primary importance for the UCI,” the entity reported in a statement.
In addition, the international organization pointed out that the future merger “circulating in the media” would affect the UCI WorldTour licensing system. Both teams already have this level to compete until 2025, however, “according to the regulations, this license can be re-evaluated at any time.”
“If the continuity of one of the teams could not be guaranteed for the 2024 season, the number of UCI WorldTeams would be 17 for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and consequently, the number of UCI ProTeams automatically invited to the tests would increase, in accordance with the provisions of the UCI regulations,” he explained to the entity.
To carry out the decision on how to organize the WorldTour season, the UCI will take into account “the organizational criteria and, eventually, the sporting criteria”, helped “by an external auditor, currently PwC, which is in charge of verifying the financial and contractual”.
And the purpose of his future decision on licenses, if this merger occurs, will be “to ensure that the teams respect the regulations, in particular with regard to their continuity and respect for personnel contracts (riders and staff). of support) throughout a season”.
“Any significant change in the situation of a team must be duly communicated during the next registration procedure so that it can be evaluated, in accordance with the UCI regulations,” recalled the entity, which will publish a first statement on October 19. press release with the list of teams that have submitted essential information.