The UCI’s decision follows the call by the International Olympic Committee IOC to ban Russia and Belarus from international sport after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UCI is temporarily removing all licenses from Russian and Belarusian cycling teams, of which the Russian procontinental team Gazprom-Rusvelo is the best known.
Riders from both countries can still compete individually, but not under their country’s flag. Also the national teams of Russia and Belarus are no longer welcome at major championships.
The UCI has also expressed its support for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and announced that riders from the country are welcome at the UCI training center in Switzerland.
