Jonathan Vaughters, manager of EF Education-Easypost, has launched a blistering attack on cycling's governing body, the UCI, accusing it of being 'unable to make good decisions when it comes to safety or the governance of the sport'. Speaking on the eve of the Tour de France, Vaughters described the UCI as 'managed by politicians and bureaucrats who do not understand the reality of the sport'.
Vaughters, a former professional who raced in four Tours, criticised the lack of democratic representation for riders, coaches, doctors and mechanics. 'The people who have real, hard-won knowledge are pushed to the outside,' he told the Guardian.
His comments follow safety concerns expressed by top riders Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard and Mathieu van der Poel. Pogacar, the defending champion, said: 'It's not a very safe sport, in my opinion.' Van der Poel criticised the increase in riders from 176 to 184, calling it a 'mistake'. Vingegaard, who suffered a concussion in March, said race doctors never checked him for concussion despite visible injuries.
Recent UCI rule changes, including gear ratio limits and narrower handlebars, have also drawn criticism. Brent Copeland of the SafeR commission acknowledged the challenges, saying: 'We are all trying to create a safer environment for cycling... but it's not going to change overnight.'
