Es gibt wieder einmal Streit ums Thema E-Bike-Rennen! Die Streithähne sind diesmal der Radsport-Dachverband UCI und dessen Motorrad-Pendant FIM. Die UCI beansprucht für sich die Hoheit über sämtliche Radsport-Disziplinen – was die FIM nicht daran gehindert hat, einen E-Bike World Cup als Pre-Show zum MX GP aus der Taufe zu heben. Wir haben die Streitpunkte zusammengefasst.
Erst Ende der Saison 2018 hat die UCI E-Bike Rennen offiziell in ihr Reglement aufgenommen und im gleichen Atemzug die Austragung einer E-Bike-Weltmeisterschaft im Rahmen der allgemeinen Mountainbike-WM im kanadischen Mont-Sainte-Anne ausgerufen. Es scheint, der Schritt kam keinen Tag zu früh, denn nun hat der Motorrad-Verband FIM seinerseits Ende März die Austragung eines E-Bike World Cups angekündigt. Das erste Rennen wird unter dem Namen E-X Bike World Cup als Pre-Show zum MX GP in Imola, Italien, am 17. August 2019 laufen.
Namensgebung und Format klingen dabei tatsächlich nach einer Mischung aus Mountainbike und Motocross. Das Rennen soll auf der MX-Rennstrecke stattfinden und dem üblichen MX-Format von Massenstart mit 30 Minuten Rennzeit plus eine Runde folgen. Mitmachen kann theoretisch jeder auf einem E-Bike – genaue Angaben darüber, was als E-Bike gilt, stehen allerdings noch aus.
Nun grätscht jedoch die UCI der FIM wenig überraschend seitlich in die Parade. In einer Pressemitteilung macht der Verband klar, dass man das Thema E-Bike ganz klar selbst beansprucht und dies gegenüber der FIM bereits im Jahr 2017 zum Ausdruck gebracht hätte. Während der Streit für die meisten normalen Mountainbiker (und E-Biker) wohl nicht weiter von Belang sein sollte, betrifft er Profis und Besitzer von UCI-Lizenzen durchaus: Denn Fahrer, die an FIM-Events teilnehmen, haben mit Konsequenzen seitens der UCI zu rechnen. Da die FIM scheinbar mit einigen Herstellern kooperiert und zudem das Event sowohl unter mxgp-tv.com als auch auf der eigenen Facebook-Page streamt, dürften durchaus einige Fahrer verlockt gewesen sein, sich dadurch etwas mehr ins Rampenlicht zu rücken. Dem hat die UCI nun einen fetten Riegel vorgeschoben.
Wer gerne noch mehr über das Thema wissen möchte, dem haben wir die beiden Pressemitteilungen der Verbände im unverfälschten Originalton angehängt.
E-mountain bike is firmly entrenched in the cycling family: numerous well-known bicycle brands produce bikes used by enthusiasts of this speciality, and several National Federations affiliated to the UCI have already organised National Championships for the discipline, won by specialists of mountain bike cross-country Olympic (XCO), such as France’s double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon.
To encourage the development of this popular activity among cyclists of all levels, the UCI integrated E-mountain bike into its Regulations (Part IV: Mountain bike events) on 1 January 2019 and awarded the 2019 edition of the UCI E-Mountain Bike World Championships to Mont Sainte-Anne (Canada) which will organise the first edition of this competition in August as part of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships presented by Mercedes-Benz. Events, several of them grouped under the WES E-Bike Series, have been registered on the 2019 UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar, and a UCI World Cup and Continental Championships will be organised from 2020.
In the light of the strong development of the discipline, the UCI was very surprised and disappointed by the announcement made by the International Motorcycling Federation (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – FIM) concerning the organisation of an FIM E-Bike Enduro World Cup in France on 1-2 June, with no regulatory basis.
The UCI had already notified the FIM in September 2017 that it considered E-mountain bike events to come exclusively under its jurisdiction and that the respective roles of the two International Federations (UCI and FIM) were clear and would not be called into question.
The UCI Regulation, approved by its Management Committee in September 2018, stipulates that an E-mountain bike’s electric motor must not exceed 250 watts and that pedalling assistance is permitted up to a maximum speed of 25km/h. This definition corresponds with the applicable European regulations (EN-15194), which gives an unequivocal definition of a “pedal cycle with pedal assistance” (cycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor having a maximum continuous rated power of less than or equal to 250 W, where the output of the motor is cut off when the cyclist stops pedalling and is otherwise progressively reduced and finally cut off before the vehicle speed reaches 25 km/h).
The UCI wishes to announce that events in domains under its exclusive jurisdiction that are registered on the FIM calendar or those of its member Federations will be considered “banned events” in line with its Regulation. Consequently, any UCI-licensed rider participating in one of these events would risk disciplinary measures.
Commenting on this subject, the UCI President David Lappartient declared: “I am delighted by the boom currently enjoyed by E-mountain bike, a specialty that enables a new public to take up mountain biking – a demanding discipline – and which is also appreciated by high-level riders. The UCI means to develop this activity which, as with other forms of cycling, comes under its exclusive jurisdiction.”
Meanwhile, double Olympic Champion and five-time UCI World Champion Julien Absalon declared: “Electrically-assisted mountain bike is a new challenge for me. I won the first French Championships and I cannot wait for the UCI World Championships in Mont-Saint-Anne in September. In 10 years’ time I will be able to say, “I was there!” Electrically-assisted mountain bike is an extension of cross-country Olympic. It’s good that bodies such as the UCI take new practices seriously. The manufacturers, athletes, and public are there. The electric bike is a social phenomenon that contributes to the development of our sport. It is great that it is also recognised at the highest level.”
Francesco Di Biase, organiser of the WES E-Bike Series: “We join the UCI Mountain Bike International Calendar for the first time this season with several rounds. We are expecting a very high-level field of international athletes. We are very proud of this recognition from international bodies and intend to continue working hand in hand with the UCI for the development of electrically-assisted mountain bike.”
This weekend’s MXGP of the Netherlands has now hosted a press conference in front of MXGP’s collection of international and national media to announce the new e-bicycles race taking place on the 1,550 meters long Imola MXGP circuit following Saturday’s MXGP Qualifying the 17thof August.
Youthstream President Mr. Giuseppe Luongo stated, “We are very excited to start this new project with the FIM, we thank FIM and in particular their President, Mr. Jorge Viegas, for the trust and for this opportunity to develop this new sport, it will be both challenging and very interesting. Our goal is to develop the FIM E-X Bike World Cup for all customers and riders who want to enjoy racing on an extreme circuit in front of a massive crowd and with a great media coverage.”
The one race format will include a mass start with combined categories of both male and female riders racing for 30 minutes plus 1 lap but scored separately. The racing will be opened to anyone with an electric bicycle. The event is being developed with the full support of Youthstream as CEO Mr. David Luongo explains, “Youthstream will put all its TV and Media resources to promote as much as possible this new competition. The first FIM E-XBike World Cup will be broadcasted live on our OTT Platforms, MXGP-TV.com, and our Facebook MXGP Page that has more than 2.5 Million followers.”
Jorge Viegas, the new elected President of the FIM took part in the conference as well during his first MXGP visit and enthusiastically said, „I am very happy that the FIM is starting to provide competitions for electric bikes. The first ever FIM E-XBike World Cup will allow a new generation of riders to take part in these exciting races. Thanks to the support of our promoters Youthstream and Infront, the Italian Federation and the Imola circuit, the FIM will be able to offer the public who come to the MXGP in Italy the opportunity to discover a new type of competition. For the FIM it is a reoccurring story because the first motorcycles were based on a bike frame, with the addition of a motor. In recent years the electric technology has evolved considerably, and we are convinced that the FIM E-X Bike World Cup will offer the manufacturers a great platform for further development. An E-bike round table meeting will also be organized in Belgium at Metet MX circuit the 9thof June in conjunction with another E-Bike / Pedelec race organized under the authority of the FMB.”
Continuing the tradition of progressing racing and two wheeled sports Youthstream is excited to work with both the FIM and the manufactures to promote this new era. For more information on the 2019 FIM E-XBike World Cup follow MXGP.com and all of our digital platforms.
Was sagt ihr zum Streit zwischen den Verbänden? Und ist mit 25 km/h auf einer MX-Strecke im Kreis rumgurken überhaupt eine Konkurrenz zum klassischen E-Mountainbiken?
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