Israel-Premier Tech threatens lawsuit against UCI
Monday 12 September 2022 at 17:32
The promotion/relegation battle in cycling is gradually reaching its climax. A number of WorldTeams are currently engaged in a fierce battle for points. For example, Israel-Premier Tech is struggling with the necessary relegation stress. Sylvan Adams, the big man behind the (still) WorldTour team, sees that too. Adams sounds the alarm and threatens legal action against the UCI.
At the end of this season, the top eighteen teams will qualify for a WorldTour license. This ranking is based on UCI points obtained over the past three years. Teams like Lotto Soudal, Israel-Premier Tech, EF Education-EasyPost and Movistar are currently fighting for their survival. Adams sees it all with dismay and calls on the UCI to take action and let go of the promotion/relegation system.
‘Simple solution’
According to Adams, there is a ‘force majeure’, i.e. a situation of force majeure (such as war, drought or a hurricane) which makes it impossible for parties to fulfill a certain obligation due to circumstances beyond their control. “A global corona pandemic is the definition of force majeure,” Adams reasons in an extensive interview with Velonews. “And that during the entire period (three years, ed.) of the relegation process.”
According to the great man behind Israel-Premier Tech, there is a ‘very simple and gallant’ solution to the problem: Adams wants to increase the number of WorldTeams from eighteen to twenty. This would put an end to the much-discussed relegation battle. In addition to the current eighteen WorldTeams, there would also be room for Alpecin-Deceuninck and Arkéa-Samsic, who are still ProTeam but want to take a step up for next year. Based on their current position in the ranking, they are also eligible for this.
UCI debunks rumors of WT . expansion
Previously, there were rumors that the UCI would consider solving the promotion/relegation problem by increasing the number of WorldTeams from eighteen to twenty. However, the UCI quickly denied this in a press release. “Contrary to recent public reporting, no decision has been taken to change the applicable rules.”
In addition, they also mentioned that UCI points can be earned until October 18. In November, the WorldTour licenses for the seasons from 2023 to 2025 will be assigned.
“And then the ASO can still hand out two wildcards during the Tour de France. Who will be hindered by a WorldTour with twenty teams? Nobody,” Adams is adamant. “’Relegation means death for the teams concerned. It doesn’t matter which teams are relegated, it’s an existential problem. Why do we break something down in cycling instead of building something up? It’s just destructive. I really hope common sense will prevail.”
“If I lose, I will take them to court”
According to the influential businessman, important riders, sponsors and other partners will drop out if a team is relegated from the WorldTour. “I don’t see the point of it. The UCI is threatening us and that is harmful. And that while there is a simple solution that does not affect anyone. It’s an elegant way to get out of this mess. Let’s expand the WorldTour from eighteen to twenty teams and there will be no losers.”
Adams has since contacted the international cycling union and hopes to find a solution through the ‘normal route’. If this does not work, he is willing to go to court and fight it out legally. “If I lose, I’ll take them to court. If I lose my sponsors, it will cost me millions. If I can show that the UCI is not applying its rules consistently, I have a very good case. I just hate lawsuits. Nobody wins in lawsuits, only lawyers.”