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Because of the corona pandemic: World Association UCI adopts austerity plan

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UCI savings plan Corona Lappartient

Cycling: Hardly any industry is spared the consequences of the corona virus. Cycling suffers as well. The UCI has now launched a drastic austerity plan.

The UCI has high financial losses

Events are cancelled, races are postponed, deliveries cannot be made. And some teams are on the brink. This is the first conclusion of the bicycle industry. While some drivers have already agreed to give up a large part of their salary, and in Team CCC they have Employees temporarily released the UCI, the world cycling association, has now drawn the first conclusions. As announced in a press release, a rather drastic austerity plan will have to be implemented.

From the press release:
“In solidarity and as part of the support measures put in place since the beginning of the crisis, the UCI is refunding all calendar registration fees to organizers of canceled events. These make up a significant part of the UCI's income. The initiative will have consequences for the financial situation of the UCI.”

Drastic measures should help

Although the UCI is currently unable to hold, organize and accompany races, the employees of the world association have their hands full. For the most part, however, these are not particularly pleasant things. So it's about the coordination of race cancellations, ideas for an alternative racing calendar and of course solving financial questions from the organizers, drivers and teams. In order to prevent the coming economic crisis, the world association has taken a number of measures. Among other things, executives have decided to cut their salaries. Employees are sometimes sent on forced leave. In addition, no employees are currently being hired. A complete revision of the projects for 2020 must take place. Solidarity projects for national associations have also been reduced.

From the press release:
“The stop brings together athletes, teams, organizers, partners and the vast majority of the people and organizations who contribute to the vitality of our sport across all disciplines. The UCI was far from spared. […] It is time for the cycling family to gather together and together prepare our sport to recover from this health and economic crisis. Each of us is called to stick together, to be responsible and to be strong. That is why the UCI took drastic measures to weather the storm.”

The world cycling association wants to support the teams

In addition to internal association regulations, the UCI has also given some thought to professional cycling teams. A working group was set up, consisting of representatives of the associations, the teams and the drivers. An agreement has already been reached that teams with financial difficulties can take the necessary measures. As a result, those involved hope that the corona pandemic will be mild, at least for most cycling teams.

From the press release:
“With this temporary flexibility, approved by the parties involved in professional cycling, our federation wants to support teams whose activities have been affected by Covid-19, while respecting the rights of riders in compliance with the rules. Depending on the development, further support measures may be taken during the UCI’s regular discussions with its partners.”

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More than Michael Behringer

Cycling with all its tactics, stage analyses, placements and forecasts are Michael Behringer's great passion. In 1996 he tracked his first Tour de France. Since then he has observed almost every race. His passion for cycling has been with him for over two decades. There is no end in sight.