A legal cycling blog by Nick Williams and Tom Seamer of Morgan Sports Law focused on commentary about the UCI Regulations, Anti-Doping, and other cycling-related legal matters.
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Understanding the UCI Arbitral Board: Powers and Procedure
The UCI Arbitral Board serves as the primary legal forum for disputes between cyclists and teams regarding employment contracts. This article provides a guide aimed at riders on the key procedural steps in an Arbitral Baord proceeding.
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Yellow Cards: Time for a Rework?
The UCI’s new yellow card system, effective January 2025, aims to enhance safety but faces significant challenges. Misapplication, inconsistent rule enforcement, and ineffective sanctions hinder its effectiveness. To improve, adjustments like stricter penalties for repeated offenses and training for officials are suggested to ensure proper implementation and achieve the system’s intended safety goals.
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UCI to Introduce New Rules on Carbon Monoxide Rebreather Use
The UCI Management Committee has approved a ban on repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide, effective 10 February 2025. While possession outside medical facilities is prohibited, CO use remains authorized under professional supervision for specific measurements. The ban aims to clarify restrictions against using CO for performance enhancement while allowing regulated testing in controlled settings.
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Carbon Monoxide Rebreathers: New Frontier or Destined for the Scrapheap?
The use of carbon monoxide rebreathers in professional cycling is controversial. They can serve as measurement tools for altitude training or, more controversially, enhance performance by creating hypoxia. While currently unregulated, some suggest the potential health risks may warrant reconsideration of current anti-doping regulation. The debate around their safety and effectiveness continues.
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UCI Men’s and Women’s World Tour Yellow Card Tracker 2024
A tracker of yellow cards handed out to riders (and others) in the UCI Men’s and Women’s World Tours during the 2024 season (updated periodically).
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UCI announces yellow card system
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has announced the introduction of a yellow card system aimed at bolstering safety in professional cycling. The initiative, inspired by similar systems in sports such as football, forms part of the UCI’s efforts to address growing concerns about rider safety following numerous high-profile crashes. A trial phase for the system […]
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Coming unzipped: UCI initiate review of hookless technology in the pro peloton
The use of hookless rims in professional cycling has sparked intense scrutiny following recent incidents. This technology removes the traditional rim hook, offering potential cost savings and aerodynamic advantages. However, precise tyre and rim compatibility is crucial for safety. The manufacturer of the wheels involved in two notable hookless incidents, Zipp, has defended the safety of their products, citing compliance with testing standards. The UCI has emphasized adherence to safety standards and is working on strategies for the use of hookless rims in professional cycling. This debate underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and safety measures to protect riders, and…
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