AusCycling position statement on international activities

In response to the ongoing nature of the global COVID-19 pandemic,  AusCycling (AC)  is updating its position on international competition activities. Last Update April 2021.

Consideration has been given to a range of factors including, but not limited to, the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on:

• The general population worldwide
• International racing opportunities
• Domestic and international travel restrictions, availability, and costs
• Short and long-term health risks
• Availability and scope of international travel insurance
• AusCycling’s duty of care towards its members and staff
  

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) currently advises of a ban on overseas travel from Australia. Australian citizens cannot leave Australia without an exemption from DFAT. Additionally, with the cap on international arrivals and quarantine places in each state and territory recently being reduced by 50%, athletes and staff face a heightened risk of being stranded overseas for extended periods.

In continuing to review the policy, AusCycling acknowledges the continued COVID-19 vaccine rollout, and that international competition is taking place overseas. AusCycling recognises the need for some professional and elite level riders to continue to pursue their careers.

AusCycling will not be conducting national team campaigns or projects outside of Australia before 3 October 2021 with the following possible exceptions:

• Campaigns and projects in New Zealand where there is a government-endorsed Trans-Tasman travel bubble
• National Team activity where there is a risk to Olympic and or Paralympic qualification (including 2024)
• Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games
  

With regards specifically to the upcoming 2021 UCI World Championships:

• 2021 UCI Junior Road World Championships: AusCycling will not send a National team from Australia but will conduct alternative development activities for selected athletes.
• 2021 UCI BMX Race World Championships (including BMX Challenge Categories): AusCycling will not send a national team with riders based in Australia. Selected Elite category riders, already based overseas as of July 1st 2021, will be eligible for participation. Selected Junior Elite category riders, already based overseas as of July 1st 2021, will be considered for participation subject to approval of their support plans by the AusCycling Sport Manager BMX (Luke Madill – [email protected]). No endorsements will be provided for athletes to enter the Challenge Categories.
• 2021 UCI MTB World Championships: AusCycling will not send a National team from Australia. Selected riders registered to UCI MTB teams will be eligible for individual participation. Selected U23 (XCO only) and Elite (XCO, E-MTB and DHI) riders, already based overseas as of July 1st 2021 and not on UCI MTB teams will be eligible for individual participation subject to approval of their support plans by the AusCycling Sport Manager MTB (Evan James: [email protected]). For clarity, selected juniors not on UCI MTB teams are not eligible for participation but will be offered an alternative activity later in 2021.
• 2021 UCI XCM World Championships: AusCycling will not send a National team from Australia. Any selected riders, already based overseas as of July 1st 2021, will be eligible for individual participation subject to approval of their support plans by the AusCycling Sport Manager MTB (Evan James: [email protected]).
  

All riders approved for Individual entry must sign the AusCycling Overseas or Competition Travel Informed Consent Form.

With regards specifically to MTB World Cups:

• AusCycling will not enter Junior riders in UCI World Cup events over which it has entry jurisdiction between now and 3 October August 2021.
• All U23 (XCO) and Elite riders (XCO and DHI) requiring individual World Cup entries (riders with the required UCI ranking points) must sign the AusCycling Overseas or Competition Travel Informed Consent Form.
• Additionally, U23 and Elite riders requiring a federation entry (riders without the required UCI rankings points) must be approved by the AusCycling Sport Manager MTB. Approved riders may request a letter of support for travel exemption.

Approval will be based on:

• The rider’s impact on Olympic qualification (XCO only) including 2024
• Current place of residence (overseas or in Australia)
• The effect the COVID Pandemic and/or injury on the rider’s ability to earn UCI points over the past 14 months

For clarity, any rider with a Federation entry must race with an Australian jersey. However, this does NOT constitute an AusCycling National Team activity, and the rider is solely responsible for their own support and attends at their own risk.

AusCycling will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates when required.