The Gazprom-RusVelo cycling teamexcluded by the International Cycling Union (UCI) after the start of the Russian invasion in Ukraine, “has suspended” its activity, but stays in search for a new sponsorinformed the AFP the direction of training.
Without being able to find another sponsor, the equipment financed by the Russian energy group “has suspended” its activity since Sunday, he told the AFP its director Renat Khamidulin, from Italy.
“We have two negotiations in progress with possible sponsors, if it works we can resume the activity. But it is not easy right now to immediately find a sponsor”, he added.
The team Gazprom-RusVelo was excluded from competitions on March 1 by the UCI, some days after the start of the Russian invasionlike all the teams that competed under the Russian or Belarusian flag. Located in the second world divisionthe team based in Switzerland is made up of 21 runners, nine of them Russians and seven Italians, “almost all in Italy”, specifies the Russian leader.
“Some they train with the Italian national team, others on their ownbut his mood is low”, describes Khamidulin, even if his rider Alessandro Fedeli finished second in the Industry Grand Prix, on Sunday in Tuscany, running in the Italian jersey.
Some riders have been tested by other teams, but no transfer has been closed at the moment.
“It is a painful situation for everyone. The UCI wanted to punish the Russian team, but they have harmed Italian, Norwegian and Spanish riders... it seems to me a half-hearted, poorly thought-out decision,” laments Khamidulin.
manager does not rule out filing an appeal against this sanction. “It will take a dialogue with the UCI. Either directly or in front of the courts. We cannot say: ‘We stop our activity and forget everything’. It’s ten years of work and a lot of damage, “he says.
The squad spoke this Monday on their social networks. “We are sure that politics should stay away from sport and sport must be a platform for the unity of nations. Cycling and our team in particular can be messengers of peace. We defend peace in the world and do not support any war,” he published.
The UCI confirmed on March 14 that the sanction should continue being “strictly enforced, meaning that teams must not be registered under Russian or Belarusian nationality or bear the name of a Russian or Belarusian sponsor.”
However, the Affected teams can request to be registered under another nationality if they meet the appropriate requirements. Runners and team workers also have the possibility of signing for other formations, outside the transfer period, according to the institution. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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