The UCI has suspended all Russian and Belarusian teams, including Gazprom-RusVelo, from competition with immediate effect following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the UCI said that Russian and Belarusian cyclists who ride for teams from outside Russia and Belarus will still be permitted to compete. However, the UCI added that “all emblems, names, acronyms, flags and anthems linked to Russia and Belarus are prohibited at all events on the UCI International Calendar.”
The UCI’s announcement came after the International Olympic Committee’s executive board recommended on Monday that international sports federations and organisers “not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.”
The UCI Management Committee held an extraordinary session on Tuesday before outlining its response to the IOC’s recommendation. The UCI’s decision means that Russian UCI ProTeam Gazprom-Rusvelo, Continental outfit Vozrozhdenie, and track squad Marathon-Tula Cycling Team have been banned from competition.