Newsletter 02
26 March 2023
This update serves to keep the members of WARA and other interested parties aware of WARA’s activities. WARA serves as the voice for riders’ agents and defends their interests in professional cycling.
This newsletter includes:
An update on WARA’s activities
Agenda 2030 and The One Cycling project
UCI Transfer Regulations Draft - WARA Position
Code of Conduct
WARA Membership
Agenda
1. WARA’s Activities: Meetings with Stakeholders
Over the past few months, WARA has been active in advancing the interests and professional development of riders’ agents worldwide. This includes meetings with other stakeholders within the cycling industry, such as the UCI, CPA, AIGCP and UNIO. All stakeholders welcomed the founding of WARA and the possibility to consult with rider’s agents in a structured way. The first contacts were focused on introducing WARA and to present the objectives of WARA with a clear focus on the inclusion of riders’ agents in relevant policy definition and decision-making in cycling.
Several board meetings have been convened during this period as well. During these meetings a (strategic) action plan has been discussed that will be presented to WARA members in order to foster unity, engagement and support for policy initiatives and concrete actions.
2. Agenda 2030 and The One Cycling Project
The UCI has presented its policy perspective for the future of cycling in the Agenda 2030. The document contains many topics and a plethora of individual issues that jointly would lead to a revolution in cycling. WARA is particularly aware of the proposed reform of professional road cycling ‘in conjunction with the stakeholders’ and is of the firm opinion that Riders’ Agents should be involved in talks that might affect our status. If you wish to take a look at the Agenda 2030 you can find the text here: 2030 Cycling’s Agenda | UCI
We’re quite sure that all of you have also heard about the One Cycling project. The WARA Board discussed this project. It is the Board’s current position that any formal opinion about the project is premature, as the details of the One Cycling project are unknown. Naturally, WARA will follow this project with great interest and – when the time is right – provide a clear statement on the matter.
3. UCI Transfer Regulations Draft – WARA Position
WARA has been invited by the UCI to provide feedback on their draft of Transfer Regulations. In assessing our strategy in response to the UCI's reform suggestions, it's become apparent that aligning with their proposed direction may not serve the best interest of WARA members; especially not without proper prior consultation of WARA by the UCI, which includes a timeframe for WARA to discuss with all members. Although WARA is appreciative of the UCI’s approach, as this underlines the essential role of WARA as the representative of Riders’ Agents’ interests, it seems imperative to state the following:
The current proposition by the UCI seems to overlook several key aspects that are crucial for a fair and functional transfer system. WARA’s approach should instead prioritize maintaining the effective components of the current system, ensuring stability and continuity where it's already working well. Simultaneously, there's a clear need to address and modify parts of the system that aren't serving the interests of riders and agents effectively and also do not reflect current practice.
To move forward constructively, a streamlined regulatory framework that aligns with international labor laws is essential. This framework should facilitate negotiations with teams on contracts that not only respect long-term commitments but also clearly define the terms for early termination and compensation. Such clarity will protect all parties involved and mitigate potential disputes.
Moreover, establishing fixed timelines for early termination under contract terms can provide a structured and predictable process for transitions, enhancing the system's integrity. Equally important is the standardization of Riders’ Agents commission fees for mid-contract transfers, which would introduce transparency and fairness into financial dealings.
By urging the UCI to support these recommendations within its regulations, we open the door to contracts that are both compliant with UCI standards and responsive to the needs of riders and their representatives. This balanced approach promises a more vibrant, realistic and comprehensible transfer system, enabling us as agents to negotiate effectively on behalf of riders and teams.
Creating a system that genuinely reflects the interests and protects the rights of all stakeholders involved is not just beneficial but necessary. This ensures that the sports ecosystem remains competitive yet fair, offering security and clarity to riders while allowing teams and agents to operate within a framework that is both practical and equitable. With these considerations in mind, our dialogue with the UCI and our guidance to WARA members will be informed by a commitment to fairness, transparency and the long-term health of the sport.
The board of WARA looks forward to having productive and open discussion with members in order to define WARA’s definitive perspective and key topics.
4. Code of Conduct
One of the matters we’re currently working on is a Code of Conduct for riders’ agents that are WARA members. The WARA Code of Conduct is likely to include provisions related to issues such as dealing with minors, transparency towards clients and the way in which agents should conduct themselves in relation to colleagues. Our legal partner, BMDW Advocaten, is taking the initiative in that respect. We expect to be able to present a draft for discussion purposes amongst the members soon, and after including the members’ feedback, we hope to present the definitive Code of Conduct in 2024.
5. WARA Membership
The board established that the yearly membership fee of WARA is EUR 500,- (excluding VAT, insofar applicable). The WARA Board believes that this amount of yearly membership fee allows any rider’s agent to join WARA. You can forward this page www.waracycling.com to the agents that you believe should also benefit from WARA membership.
We thus encourage you to spread the word about WARA and its mission to all rider agents. The bigger the unity, the bigger the impact. It will also have a positive reflection on budgets, as at this point in time we’re not looking for any funding from the UCI itself, because that may affect WARA’s independence.
6. Agenda
WARA is in the process of organizing a first member meeting in order to discuss the abovementioned issues. We will inform you as soon as this date is fixed and send you a save the date/invitation.
