The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) today published an updated Covid-19 health protocol applicable to men’s and women’s road competitions registered on the 2022 UCI International Calendar.
The updated health protocol will come into effect on 24 January 2022. The protocol applies to road events of all classes: UCI WorldTour, UCI Women’s WorldTour, UCI ProSeries, Continental Championships, UCI World Championships, UCI Nations’ Cups, Class 1 and Class 2 events.
The health protocol for road races was established by a steering group headed up by the UCI Medical Director, Professor Xavier Bigard and comprising representatives of the riders, teams, team doctors and organisers. It has been regularly updated in line with the evolving situation since it was first introduced in 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Broadly similar to the 2021 health protocol, which proved extremely effective, the 2022 version places emphasis on national regulations, vaccination levels and individual prevention measures.
For 2022, the UCI and its partners in the steering group underline the fact that when national laws in an event’s host country are stricter than the UCI’s rules, it is the country’s laws that take precedence. However, if the national laws are less strict, the UCI’s rules will apply. Teams are encouraged to ensure as many riders in the peloton as possible are vaccinated, and the third dose of the vaccine is strongly recommended.
In 2022, the requirements for entry into team bubbles will differ according to the type of event:
One-day races and short stage races (fewer than seven stages)
fully vaccinated
or a negative PCR test dated less than two days previously – PCR salivary tests are permitted but antigen tests are not.
Stage races of seven stages or longer
a negative PCR test dated less than two days previously regardless of whether the person is vaccinated or not
intermediate PCR tests will be conducted during the Grands Tours.
These requirements also apply to riders, UCI personnel, Commissaires, anti-doping officials, medical team, organisers and media.
The UCI and its partners remind everyone at road events on the UCI International Calendar that the rules introduced over the last two years in the interests of everyone’s health and safety continue to apply. These include the obligation to wear a mask, maintaining social distancing and frequent disinfection of hands.
The Covid protocols for the other cycling disciplines will be updated in the near future and made available on the UCI website.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “I would like to thank all members of the steering group for its collaboration and hard work in the health interests of everyone at events on the UCI Road International Calendar. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to cause suffering and disruption, but as we have demonstrated over the last two years, cycling is capable of maintaining its activities thanks to the responsible actions of all our stakeholders. I sincerely hope that these uncertain times will soon be behind us, but in the meantime I am confident that, thanks to the spirit of solidarity within the cycling family, our sport will continue to thrive.”
The full 2022 Covid-19 health protocol for road events is available here.
The UCI has also published one additional document which can also be consulted on the UCI website: Recent scientific knowledge supporting the adaptation of rules for the organization of road cycling competitions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.