The European Cycling Union (UEC) has issued a statement in which its Executive Committee reflects on "the document entitled 'Velon Addendum' addressed to cyclists belonging to the Velon organization."

The UEC "has serious doubts about the legality of such a request and the legitimacy of such an action by an organization which has not been recognized by the official bodies of international cycling" and "has therefore decided to officially bring this matter before the Cyclist Union, and ask them to put an end to such practices which violate the principles of both the UCI and the AIGCP (an association that groups together many professional cycling teams)."

The problem stems from a leaked document that asked the cyclists to waive a number of their rights, such as use of their image, intellectual property and the privacy of their personal data. Velon have played down the matter but now the UEC has urged the UCI to take a stance.

The 11 Velon teams are: BMC Racing Team Cannondale, Lampre-Merida, Lotto-Belisol, Etixx-QuickStep, Orica-GreenEDGE, LottoNL-Jumbo, Team Giant-Alpecin, Team Sky, Tinkoffand Trek Factory Racing. It is an association that was born late last year with the aim of "creating a new and better economic future" for cycling and working on a new "financial model" and "ensuring a sustainable future and promoting the stability of its members and cycling. "

Press release from the UEC:

The Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union has learned of a document entitled “Velon Addendum” addressed to cyclists belonging to the Velon organization.

The Committee was surprised, to say the least, that the document asked the cyclists to waive a number of their rights, such as use of their image, intellectual property and the privacy of their personal data.

The Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union has serious doubts about the legality of such a request and the legitimacy of such an action by an organization which has not been recognized by the official bodies of international cycling.

In fact, the Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union read with interest the heated response of the CPA (Cyclistes Professionnels Associés – an international pro cycling organization), clearly questioning the legality of the Velon addendum and strongly encouraging cyclists not to sign it.

The Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union is concerned about Velon’s apparent treatment of professional cyclists. Such practices outside the scope of regulations and collective bargaining may benefit an organization such as Velon but are certainly not in the interests of the cyclists themselves.

The Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union has therefore decided to officially bring this matter before the Cyclist Union, and ask them to put an end to such practices which violate the principles of both the UCI and the AIGCP (an association that groups together many professional cycling teams).

Moreover, The Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union recommends that the CPA and UCI meet to discuss what kind of regulatory framework or collective agreement would be best to protect cyclists against employers or third parties who would deprive them of their rights.

Finally, the Executive Committee of the European Cycling Union would like to hear what the cyclists themselves have to say about the Velon Addendum or any comparable actions by their employers, so that the ECU may act more effectively on their behalf.

Needless to say, it is up to the CPA to reach their own conclusions about these issues and decide whether to take any actions with their members.