The Men's team time trial of the 2016 UCI Road World Championships was a cycling event that took place on 9 October 2016 in Doha, Qatar. It was the 32nd edition of the championship, and the 5th since its reintroduction for trade teams in 2012. American team BMC Racing Team were the defending champions, having won in 2014 and 2015.[2]
BMC Racing Team were unable to defend their title, as Etixx–Quick-Step – who won the world title as Omega Pharma–Quick-Step in 2012 and 2013 – regained the world title by 11.69 seconds.[3] After missing the medals in 2015, Orica–BikeExchange finished up with the bronze medal, 25.43 seconds behind BMC Racing Team and 37.12 seconds in arrears of Etixx–Quick-Step.[4]
In August 2016 the AIGCP approved a motion for all UCI WorldTeams to boycott the time trial event, due to the UCI insisting that WorldTeams should compete in the event as a requirement of granting a WorldTeam licence without providing a participation allowance to teams, as is the case with other UCI World Tour races. It was reported that the UCI Professional Continental teams attending the AIGCP General Assembly also supported the motion.[5]
On 13 September, the UCI released a statement, saying that the UCI and the AIGCP had agreed on a number of adjustments to the format, ensuring the participation of at least a number of UCI WorldTeams. Both organisations have agreed on a non-compulsory format, with no UCI WorldTour points to be awarded. Following this agreement, a number of UCI WorldTeams have announced their participation.[6]
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