Swiss Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) uses his race radio in Vuelta a España stage two (Image credit: Unipublic)
The UCI has announced the outcomes of its Management Committee meeting yesterday in Lugano, Switzerland, which include accepting the UCI Road Commission's recommendation to gradually phase out the use of two-way radio for all categories of rider.
There were also decisions made regarding personnel of the UCI's ProTour Coucil, with Liquigas boss Roberto Amadio and Garmin-Slipstream general manager Jonathan Vaughters appointed as team representatives.
It's the move to gradually eliminate the use of radios in races that will surely cause the most comment, however. The two-stage trial of racing without radios during this year's Tour de France was treated with disinterest at best amongst teams, with some riders and managers expressing contempt for the idea.
The UCI is pressing on with the reform regardless. "The members were of the opinion that two-way radio distorts the nature of cycle sport. They also took into account the desire expressed by the majority of those involved in cycling to prohibit the equipment," said an official UCI press release issued today.
It's been stated that a calendar will be drawn up to provide a timeline for the phasing out of radios.
Additionally, the Committee decided upon venues for various cycling events over the coming three years, covering all disciplines of the sport.
While most attention was focused on the announcement that the 2012 road world championships would be held in the Limburg region, the UCI Management Committee awarded the 2011 BMX world championships to Copenhagen (Denmark), the 2011 Para-cycling world titles to Roskilde (Denmark) and the 2010 Master Cyclo-cross world championships to Mol (Belgium).
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Although details haven't been released yet, cycling's governing body also approved a number of calendars for upcoming seasons. They include the 2010 Road International Calendar; 2010-2011 UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup (provisional calendar); 2010 UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar; 2010 UCI Cycling for All International Calendar; 2010 UCI Indoor Cycling International Calendar; 2010 UCI Para-cycling International Calendar.
Meanwhile, it was also decided that the separate classification for Professional Continental teams participating in the UCI's biological passport programme will be scrapped due to a lack of interest. This is sure to upset some teams and fans alike, with the onus seemingly taken off these 'second-tier' squads to maintain a level of transparency.
Instead, the UCI has modified its anti-doping rules to place a greater emphasis on anti-doping education aimed at riders in a target group and inclusive of the national federations, which are being asked to encourage members to follow the programme.
