Brand calls UCI threats to punish riders for skipping cyclocross World Cups 'short-sighted'

Dutch rider Lucinda Brand climbs a slope during the womens elite race at the World Cup cyclocross cycling event in Dendermonde on November 12 2023 stage 3 out of 14 of the UCI World Cup cyclocross competition Photo by Tom Goyvaerts Belga AFP Belgium OUT Photo by TOM GOYVAERTSBelgaAFP via Getty Images.

Lucinda Brand has added to the chorus of rider discontent after UCI President David Lappartient raised the possibility of preventing riders from racing the Cyclo-cross World Championships if they skipped rounds World Cup rounds. The former World Champion has instead urged a more consultative approach.

“I understand what they want to achieve, but I think it is a bit short-sighted,” Brand said in a report from Nieuwsblad. “In my opinion, they should talk to us about how we envision this.