The professional cycling teams' association is threatening to boycott the Tour of Beijing in October if the sport's governing body doesn't withdraw its proposed ban on radio communication during races by May 1.

The association known as AIGCP said in a statement that it has been banned by the UCI from attending a meeting of cycling's stakeholders in Milan on Thursday at which the issue will be addressed.

The AIGCP says its members have signed a document stating that they won't participate in the Tour of Beijing from Oct. 5-9 if the ban, due to be introduced "progressively" by the UCI, is enforced.

"Cycling is a team sport and, as such, communication is key for the athletes and the coaches," the AIGCP said. "We continue to hope - and push - for an amicable resolution to this issue. However, if the use of radios in all professional cycling events is not permitted by May 1st, all of the teams have signed an accord that simply states that we will not participate in the Tour of Beijing.

The AIGCP is targeting the race in China because it is the only event in professional cycling that the UCI not only governs but also promotes.

"This way we avoid actions that could be damaging for any race organizer that does not have any say or vote in the governance or regulation of the sport," AIGCP Chairman Jonathan Vaughters said.

The teams organized a protest last month at the Mallorca Challenge to show their opposition to the ban. The UCI says radio communication on the road distorts the true nature of the sport, however most teams say the use of earpieces makes riders safer.

Earlier this month, UCI President Pat McQuaid said the ban would be implemented as planned but agreed to a request from the AIGCP to assess it on a regular basis.

However, he later risked antagonizing the teams by saying they would be better off discussing more important issues with the UCI like the fight against doping rather than the ban.

Vaughters maintains that teams and riders should have a greater role within the sport's governing body, and the AIGCP said the UCI's decision to bar the association from Thursday's meeting won't help to ease tensions.

"Our objective in this action is to ensure that the people that actively work in field of professional cycling also have a vote in its regulation," the AIGCP said. "Fair, logical, and agreed-upon regulations are our goal. We hope the UCI will become our partner in achieving this objective."

The UCI first banned radio communications last season in lower-level races.

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