Rabobank trainer Jeroen Blijlevens’ suggestion that dominant female rider Marianne Vos should compete in some selected men’s races has been ruled out by the UCI, who said that the current regulations won’t allow it to happen.
“It is simply not possible,” UCI spokesman Enrico Carpani told VeloNation today. “In elite sports, there is no chance.”
Blijlevens said that Vos’ domination of the women’s road and cross scene meant that the 24 year old could have difficulties remaining motivated. He explained that while he believed that the Olympics and world championships would keep her focussed in 2012, that there could be an issue after the current season.
He felt there was an obvious solution. “Riding in some smaller men’s races could make her stay motivated on the one hand, but could also make her continue to make progress,” he explained to Wielerland. “Because I think she can get much better, the men could ride her to the next level.'”
Carpani explained why the UCI didn’t see that happening. “There is women’s cycling, there is men’s cycling, The UCI is trying to improve women’s cycling. We know there is a big potential there,” he told VeloNation. “We know that Marianne Vos is one of the most successful in history in women’ cycling, but she is a woman and she will stay competing with the women.”
However he suggested that she had a role in helping that wing of the sport to progress and that, over time, the level will grow. “We hope that with her great performances and her great charisma in cycling, that Marianne Vos will contribute and help the UCI to further develop women’s cycling with her personality and her amazing career.”
The UCI’s president Pat McQuaid came under criticism last Autumn when he reportedly said that the level of women’s racing wasn’t high enough to warrant a minimum wage being introduced. He has since said that his words were misinterpreted, but the comments stirred up debate and saw several women speak critically of the UCI.
Carpani insisted that the governing body was committed to developing that area. “The UCI will undertake all we can in order to improve women’s cycling,” he said. “I can confirm that internally, we are studying and exploring the different ways to do so.
“With more and more women being involved in cycling, I can confirm that a project will be launched in the coming weeks in order to evaluate the role of women in this sport.”
Vos is part of the UCI’s athlete’s commission and will doubtlessly be glad to hear that efforts are being made to help the scene to grow.
However Blijlevens – and possible Vos too – will be disappointed with the UCI’s insistence that she can’t ride men’s races.
Carpani did state that the rules applied to UCI events only, and so there may be no reason why certain race promoters outside that system cannot put on a competitive race featuring both Vos and male riders.
If that’s done and publicised correctly, it’s likely that the contest could attract a large amount of media and spectator attention.