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This hit the inbox this morning - to summarize, there is a huge pissing contest brewing as both the UCI (bikes) and the FIM (motos) are announcing ebike racing events, with the UCI now threatening to sanction any of "their" athletes if they take part in the FIM events. It certainly feels a bit like throwing Tonka toys in the sandbox, and the whole situation also fuels the rampant discussion around whether or not ebikes should be classified as motorized [insert popcorn-eating emoji here].
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UCI PRESS RELEASE CONCERNING E-BIKES
Dear Media Friends,
We are delighted to share the official statement distributed today, Friday 5 April 2019, by the UCI, addressing their stance on the e-mountain bike discipline. This includes a quote by WES founder and CEO, Francesco Di Biase.
Please find the official UCI press release below.
Best regards,
James McKnight
WES Press Officer
UCI PRESS RELEASE
Source: UCI Press Office
Date of distribution: 5 April 2019
[BEGINS]
UCI Declaration concerning E-mountain bike
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to make it clear that E-mountain bike (electrically-assisted mountain bike) is one of the disciplines under its auspices.
E-mountain bike is firmly entrenched in the cycling family: numerous well-known bicycle brands produce bikes used by enthusiasts of this speciality, and several National Federations affiliated to the UCI have already organised National Championships for the discipline, won by specialists of mountain bike cross-country Olympic (XCO), such as France’s double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon.
To encourage the development of this popular activity among cyclists of all levels, the UCI integrated E-mountain bike into its Regulations (Part IV: Mountain bike events) on 1 January 2019 and awarded the 2019 edition of the UCI E-Mountain Bike World Championships to Mont Sainte-Anne (Canada) which will organise the first edition of this competition in August as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz. Events, several of them grouped under the WES E-Bike Series, have been registered on the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar, and a UCI World Cup and Continental Championships will be organised from 2020.
In the light of the strong development of the discipline, the UCI was very surprised and disappointed by the announcement made by the International Motorcycling Federation (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – FIM) concerning the organisation of an FIM E-Bike Enduro World Cup in France on 1-2 June, with no regulatory basis.
The UCI had already notified the FIM in September 2017 that it considered E-mountain bike events to come exclusively under its jurisdiction and that the respective roles of the two International Federations (UCI and FIM) were clear and would not be called into question.
The UCI Regulation, approved by its Management Committee in September 2018, stipulates that an E-mountain bike’s electric motor must not exceed 250 watts and that pedalling assistance is permitted up to a maximum speed of 25km/h. This definition corresponds with the applicable European regulations (EN-15194), which gives an unequivocal definition of a “pedal cycle with pedal assistance” (cycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h).
The UCI wishes to announce that events in domains under its exclusive jurisdiction that are registered on the FIM calendar or those of its member Federations will be considered “banned events” in line with its Regulation. Consequently, any UCI-licensed rider participating in one of these events would risk disciplinary measures.
Commenting on this subject, the UCI President David Lappartient declared: “I am delighted by the boom currently enjoyed by E-mountain bike, a specialty that enables a new public to take up mountain biking – a demanding discipline – and which is also appreciated by high-level riders. The UCI means to develop this activity which, as with other forms of cycling, comes under its exclusive jurisdiction.”
Meanwhile, double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon declared: “Electrically-assisted mountain bike is a new challenge for me. I won the first French Championships and I cannot wait for the UCI World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne in September. In 10 years’ time I will be able to say, “I was there!” Electrically-assisted mountain bike is an extension of cross-country Olympic. It’s good that bodies such as the UCI take new practices seriously. The manufacturers, athletes, and public are there. The electric bike is a social phenomenon that contributes to the development of our sport. It is great that it is also recognised at the highest level.”
Francesco Di Biase, organiser of the WES E-Bike Series said: “We join the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar for the first time this season with several rounds. We are expecting a very high-level field of international athletes. We are very proud of this recognition from international bodies and intend to continue working hand in hand with the UCI for the development of electrically-assisted mountain bike.”
--------------------------------------
UCI PRESS RELEASE CONCERNING E-BIKES
Dear Media Friends,
We are delighted to share the official statement distributed today, Friday 5 April 2019, by the UCI, addressing their stance on the e-mountain bike discipline. This includes a quote by WES founder and CEO, Francesco Di Biase.
Please find the official UCI press release below.
Best regards,
James McKnight
WES Press Officer
UCI PRESS RELEASE
Source: UCI Press Office
Date of distribution: 5 April 2019
[BEGINS]
UCI Declaration concerning E-mountain bike
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) wishes to make it clear that E-mountain bike (electrically-assisted mountain bike) is one of the disciplines under its auspices.
E-mountain bike is firmly entrenched in the cycling family: numerous well-known bicycle brands produce bikes used by enthusiasts of this speciality, and several National Federations affiliated to the UCI have already organised National Championships for the discipline, won by specialists of mountain bike cross-country Olympic (XCO), such as France’s double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon.
To encourage the development of this popular activity among cyclists of all levels, the UCI integrated E-mountain bike into its Regulations (Part IV: Mountain bike events) on 1 January 2019 and awarded the 2019 edition of the UCI E-Mountain Bike World Championships to Mont Sainte-Anne (Canada) which will organise the first edition of this competition in August as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz. Events, several of them grouped under the WES E-Bike Series, have been registered on the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar, and a UCI World Cup and Continental Championships will be organised from 2020.
In the light of the strong development of the discipline, the UCI was very surprised and disappointed by the announcement made by the International Motorcycling Federation (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – FIM) concerning the organisation of an FIM E-Bike Enduro World Cup in France on 1-2 June, with no regulatory basis.
The UCI had already notified the FIM in September 2017 that it considered E-mountain bike events to come exclusively under its jurisdiction and that the respective roles of the two International Federations (UCI and FIM) were clear and would not be called into question.
The UCI Regulation, approved by its Management Committee in September 2018, stipulates that an E-mountain bike’s electric motor must not exceed 250 watts and that pedalling assistance is permitted up to a maximum speed of 25km/h. This definition corresponds with the applicable European regulations (EN-15194), which gives an unequivocal definition of a “pedal cycle with pedal assistance” (cycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h).
The UCI wishes to announce that events in domains under its exclusive jurisdiction that are registered on the FIM calendar or those of its member Federations will be considered “banned events” in line with its Regulation. Consequently, any UCI-licensed rider participating in one of these events would risk disciplinary measures.
Commenting on this subject, the UCI President David Lappartient declared: “I am delighted by the boom currently enjoyed by E-mountain bike, a specialty that enables a new public to take up mountain biking – a demanding discipline – and which is also appreciated by high-level riders. The UCI means to develop this activity which, as with other forms of cycling, comes under its exclusive jurisdiction.”
Meanwhile, double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon declared: “Electrically-assisted mountain bike is a new challenge for me. I won the first French Championships and I cannot wait for the UCI World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne in September. In 10 years’ time I will be able to say, “I was there!” Electrically-assisted mountain bike is an extension of cross-country Olympic. It’s good that bodies such as the UCI take new practices seriously. The manufacturers, athletes, and public are there. The electric bike is a social phenomenon that contributes to the development of our sport. It is great that it is also recognised at the highest level.”
Francesco Di Biase, organiser of the WES E-Bike Series said: “We join the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar for the first time this season with several rounds. We are expecting a very high-level field of international athletes. We are very proud of this recognition from international bodies and intend to continue working hand in hand with the UCI for the development of electrically-assisted mountain bike.”
Not that I remotely care about anything UCI related, but are there seriously that many people that want to race e-bikes competitively? To the point where different two-wheeled governing bodies are fighting over rights to these events? What a joke.
Don't they have enough work to do ruining road cycling?
Good stuff. I propose a duel. No matter the result, no one loses, as the FIM and UCI are equally hated by those who have to endure their insufferable goverance (according to the forums and many, many interviews of athletes). Maybe the winner is which ever side gets to start fresh?
On a more serious note, this is what happens with there is an ungodly amount of money in a new segment of a sport. Yes, many diedhard riders don't "get it" and think it's silly/dumb/etc. But what those people aren't seeing are the sales figures and projections:
"E-bike inventory was up 29.2 percent in units, to 26,094 bikes on hand."
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/studies-reports/2019/04/01/wholesale-bike-sales-down-sharply-year-date-everything-e-bikes#.XKePwy2ZN24
Browse around and search out some of the e-bike articles. It paints a clearer picture.
This is another very very very important one:
https://www.bicycleretailer.com/industry-news/2019/02/22/wyoming-legislature-approves-three-class-e-bike-law#.XKeQTi2ZN24
It’s a very slippery slope
Then I saw a comment from someone saying that they're seeing positive trail advocacy participation from emtbers and that saddling up(pardon the pun) with moto events may hurt their inclusion. That makes a lot of sense. Their added numbers could be a win win for advocacy and brick and mortar lbs's.
I can think of a lot of friends that are busy with life and dont have the time , fitness, or health to put into training to get a good day out on the trails like they used to. Or others that with the prompting of an assist would call the sport something that they're into. Those same people are community oriented and active in other parts of making their community work.
But yeah, absolutely pass this off to FIM. The uci can’t even regulate roadies hiding motors in their actual bikes, how the hell are they gonna figure out everyone’s secret cheat code on their ebike to unlock ludicrous speed? Right brake right brake up shift left brake square square triangle r2 circle circle
So, yeah, whatever it takes to get some people to ride.
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USA Cycling brings upcoming Sea Otter Classic Electric Mountain Bike Race under its wing
Class 1 pedal-assist electric mountain bikes to be raced in both professional and amateur classes.
Monterey, CA – USA Cycling has long partnered with Sea Otter Classic to sanction the many professional and amateur races held at the country’s hottest bicycle festival. Next week, the Bulls eMTB race epowered by Bosch will join the growing list of sanctioned races like Downhill, Cross-country, Enduro, Dual-Slalom and Road. The race will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12th at the Sea Otter Classic.
“With the growing popularity of e-bikes and the UCI including the discipline in the World Championships we are working with events, industry partners and athletes to assist with providing guidelines for e-bike events in the U.S.” said Chuck Hodge, USA Cycling’s Chief of Racing and Events.
"The Sea Otter Classic is thrilled to host this USA Cycling-sanctioned eMTB race," said Frank Yohannan, president and CEO of the Sea Otter Classic. "There has been a lot of interest in eBikes from the cycling community and we are happy to offer both amateur and pro races at this year's event."
The eMTB race is open to both men and women who will compete in six amateur age categories and a pro category. First place prize for pros (both men and women) is $750; second place prize is $500; and third place is $250 for a total purse of $3000. Winners in all categories will receive power tools. New in 2019, Sea Otter will be adding chipped timing to the race.
eMTBs that use certified Class 1 eBike systems from Bosch, Brose, Yamaha, or Shimano will be welcome to compete in the race. Racers who don’t own their own e-bike equipped with those systems are welcome to borrow one from Bulls, Bosch, or the many other brands at Sea Otter demo’ing eMTBs, on a first come first serve basis.
To register for the race, please click here.
Claus Fleischer, CEO of Bosch eBike Systems, in hot pursuit of a podium position at last year’s race. (Credit: Douglas Schwartz ELV Motors)
That aside, I really don't get the eMTB racing. I think they're fun and great for putting in longer days or training, but racing? No thanks.
Answer: As soon as they made the 2nd one.
Someone should create an e-bike outlaw series with a bigger purse so all athletes concerned can tell UCI to go pound sand. Problem solved. (Easier said than done, I know.)
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