The International Cycling Union (UCI) has released an update for the 2023 road competitions regarding the COVID-19 health protocol, and "significantly lighter" new rules apply to all classes of road competitions today.

One of the major changes is that teams and officials will no longer be required to submit health passes, vaccination certificates, and negative COVID-19 tests prior to competition. The wearing of face covers for riders and team members will continue to be required in the start area, but competition organizers may apply this measure to other personnel and areas depending on the "pandemic situation."

"As part of the updated protocols, and in light of the clearly favorable international health situation, the requirements imposed on teams regarding health passes, vaccinations, and/or Covid tests have been lifted," the UCI issued a statement regarding the updated protocols for events and teams statement regarding the event.

"Organizers are required to communicate prior to the event the degree of health risk in the area where the event will take place (green, orange, or red zone). Depending on the category, recommended, desirable, or mandatory measures will be taken. Additional measures may be taken in Grand Tour depending on the epidemiological situation at the time.

These rules apply to all UCI road races in the UCI WorldTour, UCI Women's WorldTour, UCI Pro Series, Class 1, Class 2, Continental Road Championships, UCI Road World Championships, UCI Cup of Nations, Continental and apply to the elite and U23 categories, women's and men's, and junior categories of the UCI Road World Championships.

Simon Clark (Israel/Premier Tech) was the latest rider to test positive for COVID-19 before the race, which came out in a team test before the Tour Down Under, but was retested and allowed to start the competition in the opening prologue a few days later. Australia's COVID-19 rules currently do not include a mandatory quarantine period.

A 14-member steering committee led by UCI Medical Director Professor Xavier Bigard The results of the study revealed that Joining Prof. Bigard on the steering committee were Dr. Matthias Baumann, president of the UCI Medical Commission, four WorldTour team doctors, and representatives of athletes and organizations.

On the event side, the organizers were asked to keep feed zones clear of general spectators, to restrict entry in the finish area, and to continue face coverings and other safety measures at the awards ceremony.

Teams were asked to administer all protocols for riders suspected or confirmed positive for COVID-19.

The protocol was first established in early 2020 and has undergone periodic updates over the past two years. The protocol is a response to the global epidemic of COVID-19, which continues to mutate and circulate with the risk of new variants. The Covid protocol for road racing is considered a "living document" and will be updated as deemed necessary due to changing global health conditions.

All organizers were asked to report the regional and local status of the pandemic to their teams and the UCI. A color-coded scale developed by the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) will be used to assess the severity of the pandemic.

The 12-page summary of the terms of reference stated that "entities or organizations that do not implement MAN (mandatory) measures" could be fined between CHF 1,000 and CHF 10,000 by the disciplinary committee.

This week, the first UCI training session and exam for event safety managers was held at the UCI World Cycling Center in Aigle, Switzerland, with 64 event safety managers in attendance. The course examines rider, official, and spectator safety and is mandatory for all event safety managers appointed to races on the UCI WorldTour, UCI Women's WorldTour, and UCI Pro Series calendars starting this year.

"It is important to create a common safety language among all cycling stakeholders," said Michael Rogers, UCI Head of Road and Innovation "These people are signatories to all safety elements of the race. . so it is absolutely essential to have the latest updates and UCI regulations on hand."