The UCI is to rewrite the rulebook on rider transfers, unilaterally breaking contracts and threatening riders, teams and agents with fines and suspensions if they try to push the transfer forward. 

The new rules were apparently drafted after the Cian Uijtdebroeks caused controversy with Bora-Hansgrohe, the German team finally agreed to allow talented young Belgians to participate in Visma-Lease bicycles.

The increased risk of teams poaching riders contracted with rival teams and the ever more complex employment laws were also factors on several pages of the new UCI rules governing transfers. Several riders, including Wout Van Aert, have faced legal battles after trying to break contracts in the past.    

The new rule came into force quietly on 6/17, with a strip of red ink highlighting the changes. 

There are still 2 so-called rider "registration periods", the first is from 8/1 to 15 for in-season transfers and rider registration. The 2nd lasts from 10/15 to 12/31 and applies to the registration of riders for the following years.

There are no specific rules regarding riders and their agents talking to other teams during existing contracts, with most big-name transfers and rider contract negotiations for 2025 taking place and agreed upon. However, team changes can only be announced after 8/1. 

Attempts by riders and teams to unilaterally break the contract will be scrutinized by the UCI Arbitration Commission, which uci "details the punishment for termination of the contract deemed illegal by the competent authority.The uci Arbitration Committee has decided to join the uci Arbitration Committee."

"Rider and the UCI World Team shall be jointly paid compensation to Rider's previous team for an amount equivalent to residual compensation under a contract with the previous team and shall not be paid in an amount less than 6 months," the new rules state.   

The UCI World Team may also be fined 3 months of the rider's salary and banned from registering a new rider for 12 months. Riders risk a three-month suspension from the race, but their agents may be fined the amount of the rider's monthly salary.  

To avoid conflict with European employment laws, riders can avoid punishment if they change teams without a raise. However, the new rules and punishments act as a clear deterrent against riders and their agents, causing power struggles with existing teams and for higher salaries.