UCI opens door for Russians, Belarusians to compete at Worlds as neutrals

Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) is the highest-ranking Russian on the UCI road rankings but is listed without a country on results
Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) is the highest-ranking Russian on the UCI road rankings but is listed without a country on results (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

The UCI announced on Friday it would consider reversing a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes competing in World Cups, European Championships and World Championships in various disciplines provided the riders compete as neutral athletes and without wearing any national team symbols.

The bans were put in place last March after Russia invaded Ukraine with support from Belarus. The rules, criticized as being unevenly applied, barred the registration of Russia and Belarus-registered teams, leading to the collapse of the ProTeam Gazprom-RusVelo. Twelve of the team's members were from countries other than Russia or Belarus. All but two riders - Marco Canola and Kévin Rivera - found teams, but only one Russia, Artym Nych has signed this season with a team for 2023, the Portuguese team Glassdrive Q8 Anicolor.

Laura Weislo
Managing Editor

Laura Weislo has been with Cyclingnews since 2006 after making a switch from a career in science. As Managing Editor, she coordinates coverage for North American events and global news. As former elite-level road racer who dabbled in cyclo-cross and track, Laura has a passion for all three disciplines. When not working she likes to go camping and explore lesser traveled roads, paths and gravel tracks. Laura specialises in covering doping, anti-doping, UCI governance and performing data analysis.