{"id":182527,"date":"2021-03-29T12:46:18","date_gmt":"2021-03-29T12:46:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/?p=182527"},"modified":"2021-03-29T12:50:18","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T12:50:18","slug":"brexit-leaves-uk-riders-in-cycling-limbo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/wide\/2021\/03\/29\/brexit-leaves-uk-riders-in-cycling-limbo\/","title":{"rendered":"Brexit Leaves UK Riders in Cycling Limbo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brexit has made life more difficult for a lot of people on both sides of the new divide \u2013 and that includes UK professional cyclists. The post-Brexit end to free movement between the UK and Europe has put many UK cyclists based in Europe or with long European racing schedules in a kind of limbo, especially with countries like Belgium requiring riders to earn at least \u20ac80,000 a year to be classed as a professional sportsperson and be granted a special athlete visa.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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According to The Cyclists’ Alliance (TCA), a support group for female cyclists, many riders are now worried about how to meet their contractual commitments in Europe. Specifically, \u201c[UK] riders may need a visa, work permit or other documentation if they are planning to stay for longer than 90 days in a 180-day period\u201d on the continent, depending on the country or countries where they will be training or racing, and depending on their individual circumstances.<\/p>\n

\"Mark<\/a>
“The impact and solutions [of Brexit] depend on a rider\u2019s personal situation.” \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>The gov.uk<\/a> website provides all the necessary information regarding the documentation required for lengthy stays in every country. And TCA provides online information<\/a> for how an individual\u2019s nationality, employment and residence affects how the rider should proceed; for example, it could make a difference if the rider is self-employed or an employee.<\/p>\n

It sounds complicated, and it is. A non-EU national who stays in the Schengen area for more than 90 days without a residence permit or long-stay visa is in an illegal situation and could be hit with a re-entry ban to the Schengen area, which will have serious implications for the rider\u2019s career. Riders staying less than 90 days must ascertain whether they need a visa and\/or a work permit. It will depend on the country they are travelling to, the purpose of their visit and whether they are receiving payment or not, as many riders are still not financially reimbursed by their teams.<\/p>\n

\"Anna<\/a>
Brexit has complicated Anna’s life. \u00a9 Profimedia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To address the situation for long-term stays in Europe, British professional riders have urged the UK government to negotiate a visa-free permit with the EU to enable them to train and race in Europe for the entire season. To that end, a number of riders have initiated a petition addressing the UK government and parliament.<\/p>\n

The petition takes into consideration all UK athletes who travel year-round to Europe to train and compete. It states that \u201cwith many athletes self-funded and potentially each country asking for its own visa per trip, this will become impossible due to cost if there is this [a] limit of 90 [days] in 180 days of travel.\u201d<\/p>\n

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British Athletes Want UK Govt to Negotiate an EU \u201cVisa-Free Permit\u201d for Them to Train & Compete in EU<\/p>\n

@jakey_stewart @Tompid<\/a> @ollymoors51<\/a> @DaveRaynerFund @Joshgreenwood24<\/a> @annahendersonxo<\/a> @em_wads<\/a>
https:\/\/t.co\/KDeVhZBhF1<\/a><\/p>\n

— SchengenVisaInfo (@schengen_info) February 24, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n