UCI Addresses Equipment Rules Problem

Today the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced a number of measures targeted to prevent bike equipment problems at races. For implementing these measures the UCI is looking for a closer contact with the bike industry.

Beginning this year, at the Tour de California a number of bikes from Pro Tour teams were banned from the race because they were declared as not to comply with the UCI rules for equipment. It was not only a widely debated ban but also created havoc among professional teams and their equipment suppliers.

The difference in the interpretation of the UCI rules not only took place at the Tour de California; it is a problem that goes back to the 80s with Chris Boardman’s bike.

The measures announced today by the UCI are to prevent such incidents as at the Tour de California as well as interpretation differences of the rules. To achieve this UCI President Pat McQuaid said that the UCI wants to switch to “an engineering approach of the rules in stead of the philosophical approach of the development of equipments as laid down in the Lugano Charter. This Charter will stay the reference of the equipment rules.” McQuaid further noted that the UCI wants to improve the management of the rules.

To establish all this the UCI will appoint next October a full time equipment coordinator who will be an engineer. Further a Technology Commission will be installed while the UCI Sport and Technical Department will get a central role. Also partnerships with external experts are to be established.

The UCI is also looking for a closer relationship with the bike industry, said McQuaid. He referred to bike and bike parts manufacturers; cycle clothing makers; manufacturers associations as well as other associations as recognised by the IOC like the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI).