By affiliation to the world cycling federation – International Cycling Union (UCI) – Cycling South Africa’s role is to govern cycling in South Africa and to regulate the five major disciplines: Road, Track, BMX, MTB, Para-cycling. In doing so, the federation is the custodian of the UCI’s Rules and Regulations in South African cycling.
One such rule is the UCI Forbidden Race Rule 1.2.019, which stipulates that cyclists holding a Full Racing Licence cannot participate in a cycling event that is not listed on the national federation’s event calendar, a continental confederation calendar, or the UCI event calendar. The event is therefore “not sanctioned”.
Cyclists serving a doping sentence would typically be banned from competing in any cycling races for the duration of their ban, whether sanctioned or not. Unfortunately, we have seen that at events that are not sanctioned, riders serving bans have been allowed to participate. Once investigated, offenders could receive an extension on their doping ban as stipulated by SAIDS (South African Institute for Drug-free Sport).
Unsanctioned events do not adhere to the rules and regulations of the national federation. To keep racing clean and fair, rules and regulations are in place to regulate and standardise the sport for all.
For ease of reference, please see details of the UCI Forbidden Race Rule 1.2.019 and penalties referred to in rule 1.2.021:
FORBIDDEN RACES
1.2.019 No licence holder may participate in an event that has not been included on a national, continental or world calendar or that has not been recognised by a national federation, a continental confederation or the UCI.
1.2.020 Licence holders may not participate in activities organised by a national federation that has been suspended, save in application of article 18.2 of the UCI constitution.
1.2.021 Breaches of articles 1.2.019 or 1.2.020 shall render the licence holder liable to one month’s suspension and a fine of CHF 50 to 100.
Cycling SA offers benefit to event organisers who sanction their events, which includes but are not limited to, public liability insurance cover (free of charge) which is accepted by all large landowners; marketing through our calendar (we are currently working on improved ways to increase communication regarding events); trained event officials to ensure compliance with rules for racing; technical support (advise on routes, traffic management, event information, preparation of safety file); continually keeping cycling a high profile sport in SA. The Cycling SA medical policy also provides assistance to members that may be injured at an event and transported by ambulance away from the event.
Please note that if a qualified Cycling South Africa Commissaire is however present at the non-sanctioned event, they are illegally posing as an official and Cycling SA cannot be held liable for any post-race issues that may arise. Likewise, a member of the public wearing a Commissaire shirt and posing as an official also holds no merit and will also face suspension of his/her commissaires license.
*UPDATE TO THIS POST DATED 8 NOVEMBER 2018
We have received correspondence from SAIDS with regards to Kevin Evans’ participation in cycling events prior to his ban being lifted and SAIDS has extended his ban by one month. Evans is banned from the sport until 27 March 2019.
