The UCI have rewritten the rule e book on rider transfers, threatening riders, groups and brokers with fines and suspensions in the event that they attempt to unilaterally break contracts and push via transfers.
The brand new guidelines had 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 danger of groups poaching riders already underneath contract with rival groups and ever extra advanced employment legal guidelines, had been additionally components within the a number of pages of latest UCI guidelines governing transfers. A number of riders, together with Wout Van Aert, have confronted authorized battles after making an attempt to interrupt their contracts prior to now.
The brand new guidelines quietly got here into drive on June 17, with swathes of pink ink highlighting the modifications.
The 2 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 12 months.
There aren’t any particular guidelines on riders and their brokers speaking to different groups throughout an present contract and most big-name switch and rider contract negotiations for 2025 have been completed and agreed upon. Nevertheless, 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 comparable to the residual remuneration underneath 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 danger a three-month suspension from racing, whereas their brokers may very well 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 alter groups with out a wage enhance. Nevertheless, the brand new guidelines and punishment act as a transparent deterrent towards riders and their brokers sparking an influence battle with their present groups to allow them to transfer to rival groups for a better wage.
