LThe world’s leading mountain bike racers, virtually all of them actually, have issued a harsh statement against the International Cycling Union (UCI) for the decision of this organization of applying a different criterion to the one foreseen to form the starting grid of the cross-country race of the World Cup, which is being held this Saturday in Scotland.
The statement, presented by the representatives of the brokers, thus responded to the decision of the UCI, announced shortly before, to take into account the world ranking of other disciplines to form the starting grid and not just the mountain bike one.
Thus, the main beneficiary has been the road and cyclocross world champion, the Dutch Mathew Van der Poel -as well as the British Thomas Pidcock and the Slovakian Peter Sagan- which has gone from coming out in the last positions -according to the ranking of the discipline- has come close to the head, taking into account this new rule.
The statement issued by the riders accuses the UCI of “change the rules” a few hours before starting a race, and it makes them feel “frustrated and disappointed” due to a situation that could influence not only the race this afternoon but also the qualification for the next Olympic Games.
The text, signed among others by the number one mountain biker, the Swiss Nino Schurter, that today seeks its eleventh World Cup. “It’s great to have big names from different disciplines in our sport and we’re looking forward to competing against them, but we’re really not happy about how the UCI is treating our discipline, changing the rules regarding starting position.” Of the test.
“The issue now is not whether the rule that is applied is fair, unfair or adequate, but the concern is the way and the moment in which the UCI has applied and enforced this rule” and “and the consequences it entails for individual runners and teams with positions in the Olympic Games that are likely to be affected.”
They think that “the UCI contradicts itself in the application of the rule” and they emphasize that “hours before the start of the World Championship is not the time to selectively look for rules” so “We express our deep disappointment and frustration with this situation caused by the UCI”concludes the statement.
