Vaughters also comments on the frustrating nature of how those in charge of the sport are even elected. “They were put in place by the votes of other politicians who have never had their skin ripped off by the road,” he fumes. “The riders, coaches, doctors and mechanics in the sport have zero democratic vote in who runs the sport. The people who have real, hard-won knowledge are pushed to the outside.”
As mentioned, Vaughters certainly isn’t alone in his criticisms of the UCI. Such recent changes made by the governing body to improve safety, such as the limiting of handlebar sizes, the idea to limit gear ratios, and force a reduction in rider speed, have been widely criticised, with the UCI openly questioned by the likes of Vaughters and Team Visma | Lease a Bike boss Richard Plugge among others.