No more confusion - UCI looks to change rider contracts' starting point to 1st of November

One of the most confusing aspects of pro cycling to those who do not follow closely, are the images that are seen during team's training camp during the winter. Often, you will have many riders from a specific team training together, and a few outlier jerseys in the middle. This is because riders are forced to wear their equipments until the literal end of the year, but that could soon change as the UCI is working on a different format for contracts.

In words to Knack, the UCI's director of sport Peter van den Abeele revealed that this change is in the works. "We are working on it with the AIGCP and the CPA, the riders' union. The regulation change will definitely be implemented, with contracts starting on November 1 instead of January 1. The starting year is still to be determined in consultation with all stakeholders.”

There is no knowing on whether this will follow through or not, but there is a good probability, and most likely most teams will be in agreement with that. Taking this year as an example, even during official events, it is possible to see the differences. Take Remco Evenepoel at the media day of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe as an example, which took place in Mallorca on December 10th. The Belgian rider is wearing an unmarked standard black hoodie, whilst Florian Lipowitz, Primoz Roglic and the other members of the German team are wearing the team's official clothes.

On the bike you will see the same thing. Evenepoel, in his Soudal - Quick-Step equipment, has been training with his new teammates. But on January 1st, he will start riding with his new colours. This is because the contract officially begins only on that day, even though Evenepoel has been on team camps and several other official events and responssibilities since late October. That is what the UCI will look to change, so that contracts begin on the 1st of November, and the riders can be in their new team's colours during their pre-season gatherings.

Whilst it may look meaningless, the culture varies from team to team. It is known that teams get to choose what their riders can and can't do when moving teams, until the end of the year. It is normal for riders to not be allowed to also appear in public appearances in front of advertising banners for their new teams, and in some extreme - but not unusual - cases, they are not allowed to talk to the media until the 1st of January. These are situations that could potentially be avoided under the new contract durations.