UCI threaten cyclo-cross riders with Worlds exclusion for missing World Cups

Thibau Nys' tiredness sparks anger at the UCI

10:32, Sunday 12th November 2023

Daniel Benson

Editor in Chief

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Thibau Nys (right) on the podium before missing a round of the World Cup

Thibau Nys' (Baloise Trek Lions) decision to skip the Dendermonde World Cup this weekend has led to anger and threats from the UCI and its president David Lappartient.

Nys, 21, will miss Sunday’s competition after finishing a disappointing 27th in the Niel round of the Telenet Superprestige Series on Saturday. Citing tiredness, the Belgian confirmed that he would miss Sunday’s World Cup race after a busy road and 'cross campaign.

“If the World Cup is seen as a toy, then we have a problem,” said UCI CEO Peter Van den Abeele, according to Wielerflits.

However, the UCI President went even further during an interview with DirectVélo.

“Nys had a bad result at the European Cyclocross Championships and says he is tired, but why would you ride in Niel on Saturday? If you're tired, you don't ride. Now Thibau Nys is someone who needs cyclo-cross, but he is not the only one who ignores World Cups. The World Cup is not a ranking from which you can simply choose to your heart's content.”

“If a cyclo-cross rider prefers a national competition while there is a World Cup, he will not participate in the next World Cup and therefore also not the cyclo-cross World Championships,” the UCI president added. “The World Cup is not a competition where you can choose what you want to ride. Everyone just has to participate.”

Several European riders did miss the opening round of the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup in the United States at the start of the ‘cross season. Lappartient found that to be more acceptable.

“As far as the United States is concerned, I can understand that. That move for just one race is hard. We must therefore create a combination with Canada as well. And for Val di Sole we also have to ensure that there is another ‘cross race nearby.”

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