Arbitrator Rules Dylan Bibic Joins Canada’s Cycling Team for World Championships

An arbitrator has ruled that Canadian cyclist Dylan Bibic will be included in Canada’s team for the upcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Santiago, Chile. This decision overturns a prior selection made by Cycling Canada, which initially excluded Bibic from the team despite his strong credentials.

Bibic, who hails from Mississauga, Ontario, is currently ranked seventh in the world in men’s track endurance cycling. He secured Canada’s position in the omnium event, a multi-discipline race format, but was controversially omitted from the team following a change in selection criteria by Cycling Canada. The organization decided to disregard results from the year 2024 when considering athletes for the omnium, a move that directly impacted Bibic’s eligibility.

On August 12, Bibic lodged a formal complaint with the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada, seeking to contest his exclusion. The arbitrator, Praveen Sandhu, ruled in Bibic’s favor just weeks before the championships, which are set to commence on October 22, 2025. Sandhu determined that Cycling Canada failed to provide a clear rationale for its decision, stating that even if the organization acted in good faith, it did not fulfill its “duty to explain” its decision-making process.

The decision marks a rare intervention by an arbitrator in national sports selection processes, highlighting the complexity and stakes involved in competitive cycling. Bibic’s inclusion not only represents a personal victory but also underscores the importance of transparency and fairness in sports governance.

This ruling comes at a critical time for Canadian cycling, as athletes prepare to represent their country on the global stage. Bibic’s performance at the world championships will be closely watched, as he aims to showcase his skills and contribute to Canada’s standing in the sport.

As the cycling community anticipates the upcoming championships, this case serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes face and the significance of equitable selection practices in sports.