Russian time trial champion Alexander Vlasov has followed countryman Pavel Sivakov in expressing his opposition to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. In an Instagram post on Thursday, the Bora-Hansgrohe rider echoed Sivakov's comments last week.

"I, like many Russians, just want peace. I am not a political person, and an ordinary person like me was never asked if I wanted war," Brashov wrote.

"It is a shocking event for everyone and I hope it will be over as soon as possible. It is a difficult situation for everyone. I am sorry for all those who are suffering and I hope that the situation will be resolved soon.

"I am an athlete and my goal should not be to divide people but to unite them across political borders. That should be the role of sports."

Last Friday, Sivakov took to social media to express his opposition to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He said, "I am completely against the war and I am not mad about what is happening in Ukraine.

"Also, please understand that most Russians just want peace and did not want this to happen. I know that these few lines are not going to significantly change the status quo, but I just wanted to share."

On Tuesday, the UCI announced that it would impose immediate suspensions from competition on the Russian and Belarusian teams, including ProTeam Gazprom Rusvelo.

The ban does not apply to Russian or Belarusian riders on foreign teams, so Vlasov will compete in next week's Paris-Nice, but he will not be able to wear the Russian national champion jersey in the stage 4 time trial due to the UCI action. Vlasov will not be able to wear the Russian national champion jersey in the stage 4 time trial.

Since the UCI announcement, British Cycling has called for further action to be taken, including suspending the Russian and Belarusian cycling federations and removing officials from governance positions at the UCI and the UEC.

The British Cycling Federation and the Dutch Cycling Federation (KNWU) have stated that they will not sanction the participation of teams or individuals representing Russia and Belarus in competitions.