They believe that the disqualification of Russians and Belarusians separates world sport.

Why can some of us race and others can't Why don't we find a solution together? Why don't we all pedal to freedom, equality and fraternity? Why don't we show what unites rather than divides? Why don't we achieve peace at least in a small big cycling world?

This case involves 53 families: a total of 164 people, mostly Europeans, who simultaneously found themselves without a job, without a salary, without a present and future in cycling for no logical reason.. Among them are many young people, qualified professionals, parents and mothers who are asking for help so that they do not have to put an end to their careers,"

The association noted that "

" At the Giro d'Italia, like at any other race, athletes of all nationalities stand side by side, competing with each other respectfully and faithfully.. Sport is apolitical and must remain objective " At the same time, these athletes were deprived of the right to work for no reason, and we, as an association, believe that we must protect them, ”they said..

The President of the International Association of Professional Cyclists Gianni Bugno also expressed his position..

" It was not possible to allow these athletes to continue racing in neutral status or to allow them to join other teams as we requested."

Like all of us, the 21 riders involved in this are completely against the war and not involved in it, but they are directly paying for its consequences, and if the UCI does not intervene now, they will be forced to stop the race forever,” he said..

Recall that the well-known commentator from Russia Alexander Shmurnov said that the Russian Federation is turning into a fascist state.