Former Gazprom-Rusvelo manager looks to create new cycling team: "I would like to give cyclists from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine the opportunity to grow into the elite category of cycling"

Ever since it's all-out invasion of Ukraine, Russian - and Belarusian - teams and races had it's license revoked in 2022. Although no changes are expected in the near future, Gazprom-Rusvelo's former manager reveals he is working on a project that brings together athletes from all three nations.

“I would like to give cyclists from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine the opportunity to grow into the elite category of cycling,” former team manager Renat Khamidulin told CyclingWeekly. "That should also remind the management of the UCI what sport is all about: being united and competitive."

He commented on the decision that was taken at the time: "It's about how lawful that decision was, and whether the UCI management made the decision based on emotions or to do something with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee."

However, as Russia continued and doubled down on it's invasion of Ukrainian territory, as well as continuous escalations of conflict and illegal annexation of territory, the prospect of the sanctions being lifted on the two nations seems unlikely anytime soon even in the best case scenario.

The team was at the time based in Italy however, with most of it's non-Russian athletes finding a new home, either immediately or only beginning this season. Artem Nych was an exception however, having been signed by the Portuguese Glassdrive Q8 Anicolor team.