Defiant cyclists reject universal wage cut amid coronavirus chaos

A universal wage cut to limit the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic on world cycling is off the table, the sport's Swiss based association of active pro riders insisted on Friday.

The association internationale des coureurs (CPA) says it is ready to compromise but will never accept an across-the-board salary reduction.

Professional cycling faces grave uncertainty due to the shutdown and should the 2020 Tour de France be cancelled it is feared sponsors will flee the sport.

All riders under a contract with a WorldTour, Pro Continental or Continental team are members of the CPA, whose statutes are protected by Swiss law.

Several top calibre WorldTour teams -- CCC, Mitchelton, Astana, Bahrain and Lotto -- have introduced wage cuts, in some cases up to 80 percent for the duration of the lockdown after the teams association AIGCP asked riders to be flexible.

"We are ready to listen," said former pro Gianni Bugno, president of the CPA.

"We are ready to compromise for the good of the sport," said the former Giro d'Italia winner and two-time world road race champion.

"We accept the flexibility asked for by the AIGCP.

"But the rules must be adhered to."
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