Last minute UCI rule change infuriates women's gravel peloton: 'We play by your rules all season'

Just a week before the competition, the UCI changed a rule regarding riders who had UCI points in elite races in disciplines other than gravel. Up until then, points collected in other disciplines had no relevance to gravel racing. Therefore riders who had raced in other elite disciplines could race as age group ranked athletes in gravel.

Mullens, who had 100 UCI points from a race 14 months ago, even contacted the UCI in June this year to confirm this rule. Having qualified for gravel world championships as an age group athlete, she was told by the UCI that her previous elite points would have no effect on her race.

A week ago, that ruling changed, and just 48 hours before the championships, Mullens, and others, received an email stating that they must now race in the elite women's race.

In a nutshell, she said, "I'm pretty pissed off, it feels unnecessarily unjust."

Mullens stated, "if this is the rule going forward, thats great. Rules change and I get that." She went on to call out the UCI on the terrible timing of their decision, and how it has affected riders who spent "thousands of dollars on qualifying and travelling to a world championship."

Half of the riders affected have travelled to Australia from Europe, Mullens explained, and said that they have all been in contact with UCI agents about the rule change.

"It's all fallen on deaf ears," she said, with a note of resignation in her voice.

Mullens ended her video by calling out the UCI, saying she was upset and frustrated, but not surprised by the body's decision and lack of engagement with her and other riders.

"We play by your rules all season, and you change them at the finish line. It's not cool, but also it's not even a little bit surprising."

The Australian clarified, "it's not about whether the rule is right or wrong, but when you choose to apply it," before reassuring her viewers that she had "decided to be excited" about lining up with the elites.