Madiot slams UAE's artificial mountain plans for future World Championships

"I'm not an ayatollah of ecology, but there are still basics and elementary rules to respect," Madiot said on RMC's 'Grandes gueules du sport' programme. "If there is a World Championships there, why not. But if we get to this type of situation, it's dramatic for our sport, and indirectly for others."

According to the Spanish newspaper Marca,after Tim Merlier had pointed out previously, artificial climbs are already being developed in the region, with the Al Wathba ascent growing steeper each year during the UAE Tour. The climb has increased from 1.4km at an average of 6% in 2023 to a planned 2km by 2026.

Internal documents reportedly reveal even more ambitious plans, with Al Wathba potentially extending to 3.8km at 6.5% by 2028. Meanwhile, on Hudayriyat island – a potential World Championships circuit – several artificial bumps with gradients reaching 10% have appeared in recent months.

Madiot expressed concern about the direction cycling could be heading. "We are in a kind of shift in what sport should be or can still be," he continued. "I think that the International Federation and its president need to regain control of this type of situation."

The Frenchman questioned whether such artificial modifications should be permitted for major championships. "It is the UCI that awards the World Championships based on specifications. I don't dare to imagine that the UCI would accept that we make an artificial mountain under the pretext of making the race harder, or even to give a rider an advantage."

If this artificial mountain were implemented, then that would become another World Championships without a chance for the sprinters to chase the rainbow jersey. What's a potential solution? A rotating system?