Martyn Irvine’s return to racing following on from his retirement last year has been delayed over the UCI requirement for riders returning to international competition to make himself or herself available for testing.
The 2013 UCI World Scratch Champion signed for the new UCI Pro Continental team Aqua Blue Sport and was expected to return to action in the coming weeks. However, the team have now announced that he will return to action in April instead.
The team released the following statement in relation to the matter:
“Martyn Irvine retired from competitive cycling in 2016. He decided to return to racing with Aqua Blue Sport Cycling Team late in 2016.”
“The UCI Rules and Regulations Governing Anti-Doping in Sport contained in Part 14 Anti-Doping Rules, 5.7.1 Retired Riders Returning to Competition states: “If a Rider in the UCI Registered Testing Pool retires in accordance with the UCI Testing & Investigations Regulations and then wishes to return to active participation in sport, the Rider shall not compete in International Events until the Rider has made himself or herself available for Testing, by giving six months prior written notice to the UCI.”
“Martyn is required to fulfil this notice period before returning to competition. This is to facilitate the building of a profile as part of the Athlete Biological Passport.”
“Martyn will continue to train and will begin racing with Aqua Blue Sport in April.”
“Aqua Blue Sport are committed to credible sport and strictly comply with all WADA, Irish Sport Council and UCI anti-doping regulations.”
Unless you are lance armstrong. Then you get to race in Australia because the event needs you to make money