The Vuelta has just set out exactly how many large vehicles each team can have. And Team Sky’s new race hub clearly isn’t included. Sean Kelly is not surprised, based on conversation he’s had with race organisers.
Sean Kelly says Team Sky race hub seen as step too far
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Team Sky is apparently running into opposition over the new race hub it unveiled at the Vuelta.
In its communiqué with the stage results and messages for the riders and teams, a section was included clarifying what the teams were entitled to.
It outlined the hotel facilities for each team. This includes half board places for 23 people, and even the number of towels and sheets for each team were outlined.
The statement also dealt with team vehicles. It set out that each team was only allowed two large vehicles; a coach and truck.
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And there was also only water supplied to each team for two large vehicles; again a bus and truck.
The message did not mention Team Sky, but clearly its new race hub does not fall within the facilities the Vuelta said it was obliged to supply to each team.
The race hub is a mini race HQ for Team Sky. It unfolds from the back of a truck into a two-storey structure with several rooms.
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Like all teams, Team Sky also has a truck on the race for the bikes and kit. It doubles as a mechanics workshop. And it also has a coach; as all teams do.
Its race hub truck is clearly not included in the facilities the Vuelta has set out for the teams.
And Commentating on Eurosport, former Vuelta winner Sean Kelly believed the message in the communiqué related to Team Sky’s race hub.
Kelly felt the statement about the vehicles, which is basic and long known by all teams, was significant.
He said the allowance of two large vehicles for the teams was “normal”.
“But now of course now Sky arrives up with this new F1-type, we’re calling it, bus or entertainment centre or whatever. And I think it’s becoming a problem.”
Team Sky had previously tried to introduce camper vans for its lead riders. In 2015 it trialled a very large camper at races for Richie Porte.
It was introduced so Porte would have a first class room and surroundings every evening on stage races. However, the UCI changed its rules to specify that all riders must sleep in hotels supplied.
The world governing body said it was introducing the new rule in the interest of "absolute fairness between all riders".
Sean Kelly says larger vehicles problematic
Sean Kelly said any teams bringing along additional large vehicles, such as Team Sky's race hub, were not going to be welcomed by all.
“I know from the Tour de France on the last number of years; speaking to some of the guys in the organisation who were riders back in the mid 80s, they were saying it is a big problem.
“Because to find hotels with huge parking spaces every day is not always easy during a three-week tour. And it’s become the same here at the Vuelta.”
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