Russian, Belarusian teams banned by UCI until further notice

Gazprom-RusVelo are among the Russian and Belarusian teams to have been banned by the UCI following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Members of the Gazprom-RusVelo team Source: Getty Images

According to the UCI, "all emblems, names, acronyms, flags and anthems linked to Russia and Belarus are prohibited at all events on the UCI International Calendar", though Russian and Belarusian cyclists from foreign teams may still compete.

The announcement comes after the International Olympic Committee implored all international sports federations to "not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions".

As a result of UCI management's extraordinary meeting, Gazprom-RusVelo, Continental outfit Vozrozhdenie, and track squad Marathon-Tula Cycling Team have all been banned from competition, along with CCN Factory Racing, Minsk Cycling Club and both national teams.

Gazprom-RusVelo were scheduled to compete in the Trofeo Laigueglia this week, though both their bike and wheel suppliers had already severed ties with the Gazprom-sponsored side.

AusCycling, too, had already banned Russian and Belarusian teams from competing in their 2022 calendar, most notably the Road World Championships in September.

In a statement released on Wednesday (AEDT), the UCI said they welcomed the "strong decisions" made by the IOC.

"The UCI, which remains a politically neutral organisation, laments that the decisions of their government can impact Russian and Belarusian athletes, but it is necessary to be firm in the defence of the Olympic values," the statement read.