CPA calls for shortening of stage races

At the General Meeting of the Professional Cycling Council (CPA) in Conegliano Veneto, Italy, on October 17, 2005, the representatives of the professional riders have expressed being in favour of cutting down the duration of stage races in order to allow for better recovery of the athletes. Complaining about too many days of competition, the riders have declared an average of 80-85 days of racing per year physically bearable and thus possible. Limiting the number of participants per team to remedy the situation was not an issue at the meeting.

Amongst further topics dicussed was the safety of the race itineraries, where the CPA asked for penalties to be imposed on race organisers when they disrespected the safety requirements. In that respect, the riders would also like to be represented during the reconnoitering and the establishing of the race parcours.

The members of the CPA also recommended the medical visit of the riders before the Grand Tours to take place on the day prior to the start of the race. Finally, the riders drew rather positive conclusions from the first season of the ProTour: according to the CPA, the level of the races included in the calendar is higher than it was in the past.