New Zealand’s Michaela Drummond, who left the Zaaf Cycling Team on April 17 and signed a contract on April 28 to race with Spanish team Farto-BTC, confirmed that she will not be at the start of La Vuelta Femenina because of her former team's disputes. She wrote in a post to her social media account that the Spanish Cycling Federation has not permitted her registration to compete with her new team in the event.
"From one challenge to another, we found a new home at Farto-BTC Women’s Cycling Team, and I was excited to be gearing up for the Vuelta Feminina, but the Spanish Cycling Federation has refused to register me like my previous teammates who have successfully transferred to new Continental and WWT Teams,” Drummond wrote.
The UCI has confirmed to Cyclingnews that the Zaaf Cycling Team's roster is below the minimum of eight riders that the sport governing body requires for a team to obtain a Continental women's team licence, and as such, the team does not currently meet those requirements, stated in article 2.17.004, and has lost its license. Drummond's race programme remains empty, as she had not have planned any races beyond La Vuelta Femenina previously, whilst the Spanish race is currently being led by Marianne Vos after two stages.
My health is struggling, with the last few months having a serious effect on me. Now with the Spanish Cycling Federation refusing to register me in my new team. I am in total dismay. I would love to be able to race again as soon as possible. Part 2 in the comments ⬇️
