The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the worldwide governing physique for aggressive biking, is thought for extremely overbearing, typically downright wacky guidelines. And yearly, committees on the UCI develop a litany of amendments to the overwhelming variety of laws. However a 2025 change appears to do nothing however take enjoyable out of successful.
Many UCI amendments are actually warranted. One modification requires a rise within the minimal variety of ambulances out there because of the sharp enhance in critical accidents (one in every of which resulted in a dying in 2024). Different rule modifications hold bike growth in examine to considerably mitigate variations in staff budgets.
And, after all, the principles towards performance-enhancing medication are essential to keep away from one other Armstrong period.
Nevertheless, many guidelines additionally appear pointless, like specifying what sort of jersey a racer can put on for various races (highway, mountain, downhill, and so on.). Different guidelines seem arbitrary, just like the minimal weight rule (14.99 kilos). The UCI might have chosen any weight, however at this weight, it’s turning into frequent for highway race groups to have so as to add weight to bikes that fall beneath the restrict, even in inventory type.
Lastly, some UCI laws appear merciless to rivals. One rule prohibits feeding a rider within the first 30 km or final 20 km of a race. Are you able to think about bonking with 20 km to go? Or probably being unable to get fluids on an atrociously scorching day attributable to your place within the group?
And violation of the principles prices groups and rivals cash within the type of fines.
However for me, a brand new modification for 2025 has taken the cake. It actually takes the enjoyable out of a win.
Rejoice Good Instances (or Not)
I admit I’ve points with authority. However I swear, for the 40 years I’ve been following skilled biking, I’ve by no means seen a UCI official smiling. They at all times look so critical. They’re like the 2 outdated males on the balcony within the Muppet Present, however not having enjoyable and laughing. No, the UCI commissaires are pointing fingers at potential violations of obscure guidelines and scowling.
I comply with yearly amendments out of curiosity about what minuscule side the UCI will bestow a rule and nice upon. Loads of rule modifications shocked, outraged, or amused for many years. However this rule modification for 2025 (in crimson) drew probably the most ire ever.
What this implies to us fun-loving sports activities followers and contributors is {that a} rider behind a successful teammate can not increase their arms in celebration. Solely the winner can. This can be for security causes, however self-preservation ought to prevail, particularly for professionals.
New ‘No Celebrating in The Bunch’ UCI Rule: An Instance
Think about you have got been defending your staff chief for six hours, using at your restrict. You’ve gotten climbed the tallest, steepest paved mountains in all of Europe and descended at horrifying speeds to remain in touch along with your captain.
You rode all the way in which again to the staff automobile to fetch fluids and meals, after which fought the wind alone to get again to your chief. You took the captain’s jacket or sacrificed your individual. Possibly you donated your water or meals.
Then, within the final 10km, you vehemently protected them from hazard in a roiling pack, with each staff trying to maintain its chief on the entrance. You bumped elbows, yelled at others, and turned your self inside out to maintain your chief on the entrance however in your draft.
Then, with the end line in sight, you might be totally spent. You can not proceed, so that you pull off and coast, so exhausted you might be quivering and on the verge of vomiting.
However your chief wins! And, after all, meaning you win! Your arms go up in celebration, as do others who have been on the lead-out practice. It’s an enormous day on your staff, your sponsors, for you.
As you watch your chief step as much as the rostrum to simply accept palmarès and thank the staff, a UCI commissaire faucets you on the shoulder and arms you as much as a $545 nice. You additionally get relegated to final place within the group with which you completed. Or worse but, you get a 25% discount in factors within the class through which you compete within the stage race.
Thanks, UCI
Each sport wants guidelines and enforcement to maintain it secure and honest. Nevertheless, the UCI appears to make guidelines simply to make new ones.
On prime of that, the UCI disregards guidelines which have been round for many years. These embody drafting behind the staff automobile after a mechanical or crash. Or taking a “sticky” bottle from the automobile (holding on to the bottle momentarily so the rider will get just a little push).
I’m chalking this one as much as an outdated, stodgy UCI official having a foul day.
