The French national team defended its decision to fly the men's and women's squads in the UCI Road World Championships in different classes.

Two-time world champion Julien Alaphilippe and his elite men's squad of eight teammates were handed business class tickets for the long flight to Australia.

Meanwhile, the rest of the athletes, including the elite women's team, were in economy class.

The arrangement sparked controversy, but the French Federation confirmed and defended its decision.

"In effect, we have confirmed. It is the choice of the Technical Direction and the French Cycling Federation. It is a confirmed choice," a spokesperson told the newspaper Ouest France (opens in new tab).

"With the exception of the elite riders, everyone traveled in economy class. The reason why we did that is because the men intend to defend their titles this year. And above all, because we had to make an economic choice."

"The itinerary is so long and the cost so enormous that if you want to get everyone on board, you have to make a choice. And if everyone was going to be in business, a lot of people would have had to stay home."

The 2022 World Championships in Australia, on the other side of the globe from the European center of pro cycling, has become a financial and logistical headache for many federations, especially with the sharp rise in travel costs after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some federations have found the costs prohibitive, with Ireland opting not to participate at all. On the other hand, Belgium's cycling delegate noted that the total cost would be three times that of the European World Championships,

even with reduced resources.

Belgium does not send its athletes in business class, and Wout Van Aert revealed that he paid 8,000 euros out of his own pocket to upgrade his ticket.

"Some countries like Ireland have decided not to participate in the World Championships. We asked ourselves if we should take all categories, especially the junior category. We did. But we can't afford to have everyone compete," France's technical director Christophe Manin told AFP late Saturday.

"For the men, we have been world champions for the last two years. For the men, we have been world champions for the last two years.

"If Australia were to host a world championship in mountain biking, and we had the same economic choice, we would put the two women in the business category and the two men in the economic category.

Alaphilippe would lead the men's team, which is seeking its third consecutive title, while Juliette Labouse and Evita Mujic would head the women's team.