The International Cyclist Union (UCI) has changed its rules, one of which directly affects Madis Mihkels' activities. Namely, male cyclists who are part of the World Team and Pro Team cannot participate in the U23 category at the World Championships.
Mihkels, who will turn 22 at the end of May, is employed by the highest category team EF Education-EasyPost, registered in the USA, and this means that if the Estonian plans to participate in the World Championships in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, in September, the European Championship bronze medalist will have to compete in the elite category.
At last year's World Championships, Mexican Iván Romero (Movistar) won the World Championship gold medal in the time trial, making it the fourth consecutive year that a World Team rider has won first place. The UCI's goal is to have amateur riders compete in the U23 category, thereby creating a more equal competition. The rule change does not apply to U23 riders who are riding as trainees for a World Team or Pro Team at the end of the season.
Another innovation is that U23 women now have a separate race at the World Championships, while previously they started with the elite. Unlike the men, the 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 started in the elite category at previous World Championships. Mihkels participated in the mixed relay and elite group race at the 2024 World Championships.
The UCI also changed the maximum distances for the World Championships and the Olympics. The maximum distance for women was extended to 180 km (previously 160 km), while the distance for U23 men was shortened to 150 km (previously 180 km). Group races for U23 women and junior men at the World Championships can be between 110-140 km and for junior women 70-100 km (previously 60-80 km). Individual starts for elite women at the Olympics and World Championships must be between 30-40 km and for U23 women 20-30 km.
