Has UCI shot its load?

plectrum

I'm a little confused, UCI pulled out its big gun and stated that riders/teams starting Paris Nice will be suspended and fined. Unfortunately for UCI this was possibly THE most stupid threat they could make.

Now that all the teams have started P-N, UCI has two choices.

Choice A: Ban and fine, the outcome of this is that riders cannot ride Pro-Tour for 6 weeks but obviously will be allowed to ride the races of ASO and its allies. After the ban has ended firstly the an imosity will prevent the teams from returning to the pro-tour but also it will give the teams 6 months to adjust to a new structure away from UCI & protour.

Choice B: Don't follow through with their threat. The outcome of this is a complete loss of credability and a redundance at the negotiating table. Teams & riders are a little like wolfs and they will quickly sense that UCI is very weak and quickly like a pack leave the lame to die rather than slow its progress.

I'm amazed that within UCI & Protour their is still confidence in McQuaid as this really isn't global politics or grandmaster chess and to make such an elementary mistake is unforgivable.

Aquamarinos

UCI lost it when they started to threaten the riders.
Teams and riders have lost all their trust with the UCI, and we are very close to see the final split between the UCI and ASO. Which one is better, I have no idea.
ASO is planning to run a new "league" next year, rumours say that they've bought Cali and that the Vuelta deal is very close...

Bro Deal

I don't think he ever stopped to think that if the riders calle his bluff then he would decrease the power of the UCI. He does this frequently enough that I am convinced he is an idiot. Usually people who slime their way to positions of power have at least rudimentry political skills. He appears to have none.

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Crankyfeet

Big problem IMO is that he feels he has the majority support of his constituents (cycling federations), but he has done nothing to foster a relationship with the pros. The UCI keep treating the riders (and teams) like they're hired help. No respect. They will suddenly find that the riders don't need the national federations. They just need a stage where they can compete and make money without being dictated to by a bunch of people who know little about, or care that much about, pro cycling.

The current UCI thinks it can destroy pro cycling, and in consequence, destroy ASO, and then rebuild it for themselves. We need a new governing body that represents everybody who has a stake in professional cycling, not a bunch of amateur cycling bureaucrats who mostly have their volunteer/low paid jobs because they can't get a real job.

huboon

What would have been the sponsors reactions if the teams had obeyed the UCI and refused to ride P-N? The riders know who signs their paychecks and I'm guessing it's not Pat McQuaid.

plectrum

It was never about P-N, as this race is just a pre-cursor to Le Tour. There is most likely an important clause to most long term sponsorship contracts that teams must accept invitations and race strongest teams in the Grand Tours especially Le Tour.

earth_dweller

The ASO-UCI war is not over by a long shot. ASO won this PN battle, but I'm sure that UCI will come back with a doozy. I think it will escalate untl one of the organizations implode.

or to put it more crudely, McQuaid needs time to recoup before he can shoot another load.

Crankyfeet

So the UCI needs a guy in charge with a short refractory time...

[And a brain would help... ]

earth_dweller

ah, that could be the problem, the blood never makes it to his brain

Crankyfeet

Do you honestly think McQuaid is getting a lot, or are you referring to solo efforts??...

earth_dweller

i'd say the latter....

micron

McQuaid might feel he has the support of the cycling federations but, in the recent vote, France, Spain, Belgium, Italy and Germany all voted against him - and in terms of the superpowers of the sport, they don't get much bigger. He should get out while the goings good and before he heaps more crap on the UCI - and the sport's - head

jhuskey

McQuaid is a guy who wants power and influence. He is palying the best hand he has to attain it. This is the same game he has been playing for several years now.
He has nothing to lose by these tactics.

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Powerful Pete

Well, from the Italian cycling press and interviews with the big boys in the Italian Federation no one is thrilled about current UCI management. I would think that the other 'big' cycling countries feel the same way.

If push comes to shove at the very least the Italian, French and I suspect Belgian federations would be overjoyed to walk away from McQuaid. IMVHO, of course.

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