Cycling world responds to Ukraine invasion

A Ukrainian stage-winner, a Russian star of the sport and the Union Cycliste International (UCI) have all spoken out in the wake of Russian forces entering the Ukraine, but there is silence around Russian state-sponsored team Gazprom-Rusvelo.

Anatoliy Budyak wins Stage 6 of the Rwanda Tour, later using the opportunity to plead for peace in Ukraine. Source: Tour du Rwanda

Ukrainian Anatoliy Budyak (Terengganu Polygon) won Stage 6 of the Tour of Rwanda in a two-up sprint with Natnael Testafarion (Drone Hopper-Androni Giaccotoli) taking the first professional victory of his career. He used the moment to call for peace in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

"Through your publication, I can appeal to the authorities and people of Russia, please stop the war!!!” he said in a CyclingTips article. “It’s not our fault that people suffer and die. Please stop the war, the Ukrainian people want peace!”

“I never thought that the brotherly people and our neighbor would attack us. The situation is complex and uncertain, the entire people of Ukraine are in fear. Nobody wants war in Ukraine, everyone wants peace and tranquillity. But when we are attacked, people have to defend themselves and defend themselves.”

The message of peace was absent from another victory taken overnight with Gazprom-Rusvelo's Mathias Vacek, a 19-year-old Czech rider, upsetting the sprinters from the early break to take the win in Stage 6 of the UAE Tour. The usual pageantry surrounding a breakthrough win of this nature was muted, Gazprom-Rusvelo posted only the most understated of celebrations on their Facebook page following the win.

Mathias Vacek wins Stage 6 of the UAE Tour. Source: UAE Tour

The majority state-owned Gazprom is one of the largest gas companies in the world and an arm of Russian energy policy, which is the driving force of Russia's economy. New sanctions from the US, Europe and Australia mostly focus around individuals, banking institutions and sovereign debt trading with Russia. There were existing sanctions which affected the business of Gazprom's exports, but no prevention of their sponsoring a cycling team that competes internationally.  

Andrey Patrushev, who has served in leadership roles at Russian state-owned gas company Gazprom, has been targeted as part of the sanctions on individuals with the Russian regime. 

Schalke 04, a club competing in the German Bundesliga .2 on Thursday removed chief jersey sponsor Gazprom from their shirts, ending their main sponsorship deal. UEFA, football's governing body in Europe, announced the day after that the Champions League final, due to be held in St. Petersburg on May 28, will now be staged in Paris.

Russian Pavel Sivakov, who also holds French citizenship, spoke out on his objection to war in the Ukraine, and asked that people not discriminate against Russians for the actions of the government. Sivakov was born in Italy and raised in France by Russian parents and speaks fluent English, Spanish, French and Russian.

"It's been a difficult few days seeing what's currently happening," wrote Sivakov on Twitter. "First of all I just want to say that I'm totally against the war and can't get around of what's going on in Ukraine, all of my thoughts are with the Ukrainian people.

"Secondly I also want people to understand that most of the Russians only want peace and never asked for all of this to happen, we shouldn't be targets of hate just because of our origin. I know these few lines won't make a big difference to the current situation but I just wanted to share it. Peace."

The UCI made a statement voicing its objection to the Russian hostilities, but stopped short of announcing any changes in policy, saying incorrectly that there are no UCI races set to take place in Russia in 2022.

"The sport and cycling have often been able to lead the way to peace and dialogue," the UCI press release stated.

"These values must inspire the Russian government so that it can cease hostilities and resume dialogue to give a chance for a peaceful resolution of this military action."

"The UCI would like to clarify that no UCI event is scheduled to take place in Russia or Belarus in 2022."

Currently, three UCI-sanctioned events are on the calendar for 2022, the Grand Prix Moscow and Grand Prix of Saint Petersburg both track events in May, and the Five Rings of Moscow, a 2.2 event on the road in June. There was also no clarification surrounding the status of Gazprom-Rusvelo.