The International Cycling Union (UCI) has changed the rules, one of which directly affects Madis Mihkels' activities. Specifically, male cyclists belonging to World Teams and Pro Teams will not be able to participate in the World Championships in the U23 category.
Mihkels, who will turn 22 at the end of May, is employed by the highest category team EF Education-EasyPost, registered in the USA. This means that if the Estonian plans to participate in the World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, in September, the EM bronze medalist must compete in the elite category.
Last year's World Championships saw Mexican Iván Romero (Movistar) win the time trial gold medal, meaning a World Team rider achieved first place for the fourth consecutive year. The UCI's goal is for amateur cyclists to compete in the U23 category, thereby creating more equal competition. The rule change does not apply to U23 cyclists who are trainees in a World Team or Pro Team at the end of the season.
As a second update, U23 women now have a separate race at the World Championships; previously, they started with the elite. Unlike the men, World Team women can compete in the U23 category. However, it is worth remembering that U23 men and women cannot compete in their age group if they have previously competed in the elite category at World Championships. Mihkels participated in the mixed relay and the elite road race at the 2024 World Championships.
The UCI also changed the maximum distances for the World Championships and the Olympics. The maximum race distance for women has been extended to 180 km (previously 160 km), while for U23 men, the distance has been shortened to 150 km (previously 180 km). U23 women's and junior men's road races at the World Championships can range from 110-140 km, and for junior women, from 70-100 km (previously 60-80 km). The elite women's time trial at the Olympics and World Championships must be between 30-40 km, and the U23 women's time trial between 20-30 km.
