UCI regulations

[Tim Booth]

Running alongside the bike (like Chris Froome in the Tour) is forbidden in 2019. It means that riders will have to complete the entire course on the bike and have to wait for help with mechanical problems.
There will also be some changes in feeding regulations. For example, in 2019 riders can take food after 30 kilometers, which until this year was only after fifty kilometers. On the other hand, it is forbidden for riders to take food or drink on the descent of categorized climbs and in the 500 meters after intermediate sprints.

 

[RedheadDane]

Wasn't the issue not that he didn't run alongside (or with, running alongside, at least to me, implies that his bike was moving on its own) his bike, but without it?
What will happen to the poor sods who have to get off their bikes and walk up the really steep hill?

Something I've been wondering for a while is; why not have at least one team in every WT race be an actual Wild Card team? A team that's drawn completely at random.
Perhaps say that teams that are interested will have to add themselves to the pool of possible team, just to avoid a situation with Euskadi or Manzana being selected for Paris-Roubaix. I'm not saying they would automatically be bad, but... I'm not too optimistic.

 

[del1962]

Can't find the running rule in this list

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...ules-regulations-need-know-2019-season-397543

Not sure why the clothing rule is needed clothing cannot change the ‘morphology’ (shape) of a rider

just allow clothing mods - all can do this

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Indeed, Froome didn't run with his bike but without it. I also don't understand what they stand to gain from prohibiting running with your bike. Plenty of cases where riders crashed within walking distance of the finishline for instance.

 

[Koronin]

Add me to the list of not allowing them to run with their bike makes no sense. Maybe because of the Worlds this year, and several riders walking/running up the last part of the hell climb?

The problem with Froome was he left his bike. The rule always prohibited running without your bike.

 

[Red Rick]

UCI "walking with bikes isn't allowed"

Also UCI "hey look at this 30% climb at the end of a Worlds Road Race parcours"

 

[GuyIncognito]

There are other changes that will have a bigger impact.

Biggest impact IMO is the regulation on racing surface limits. From now on, if it's not blocked off with barriers it's legal unless going there blatantly endangers fans. So, going off the cobbles onto the asphalt will be legal if the barriers aren't moved in.

 

[ice&fire]

Are they going to ban the Koppenberg?

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

There are other changes that will have a bigger impact.

Biggest impact IMO is the regulation on racing surface limits. From now on, if it's not blocked off with barriers it's legal unless going there blatantly endangers fans. So, going off the cobbles onto the asphalt will be legal if the barriers aren't moved in.

Hopefully, there will be a lot of barriers. They are called the cobbled classics after all. I've suggested sod as an organic, more flexieble, less expensive alternative to steel barriers.

It's not the prettiest barrier but it's effective.

And you don't need to make a entire wall out of them. One roll of sod is enough.

A long line consisting of reusable rolls on both sides of the cobbled roads should do the trick.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Re:

Not sure why the clothing rule is needed clothing cannot change the ‘morphology’ (shape) of a rider

UCI have a penchant for badly written laws: clothing cannot but change (albeit very slightly) the morphology of the wearer. You can set a limit in how much change is acceptable (that would lead to some interesting procedures in the tent next to the doping sampling tent), or you can prohibit certain types of change, but you can't legislate about the laws of physics.

 

[RedheadDane]

Re:

Indeed, Froome didn't run with his bike but without it. I also don't understand what they stand to gain from prohibit running with your bike. Plenty of cases where riders crashed within walking distance of the finishline for instance.

Yeah… that would be a mess. Imagine a mass pileup at the finish line, and a bunch of mechanics rushing into the mess to get their riders bikes so they can ride fifty metres to the finish line...

There are other changes that will have a bigger impact.

Biggest impact IMO is the regulation on racing surface limits. From now on, if it's not blocked off with barriers it's legal unless going there blatantly endangers fans. So, going off the cobbles onto the asphalt will be legal if the barriers aren't moved in.

Hopefully, there will be a lot of barriers. They are called the cobbled classics after all. I've suggested sod as an organic, more flexieble, less expensive alternative to steel barriers.

Or the classical "string* on sticks" method. Some places you could even just tie it to light posts and signs.


*Tickish stuff. Somehing riders can easily see, otherwise it would be a(nother) mess...

 

[Velolover2]

Strings is another possibility but they aren't very resistent.

You obviously want steel barriers in the places that matters the most.

 

[RedheadDane]

Maybe string was a bad word… rope would perhaps be better. Or those "line dividers" they have somewhere.
Simply something telling the riders "Don't go this way".

 

[tobydawq]

Litter the side of the roads with nail mats.

 

[Velolover2]

Re:

Maybe string was a bad word… rope would perhaps be better. Or those "line dividers" they have somewhere.
Simply something telling the riders "Don't go this way".

Yeah. I'm open for most things as long as they ride on the cobbles.

The Danish berg, "Dimen" which is surrounded by a wall of bricks and rough-like grass should be the role model for the Flemish climbs. I've raced it before and there is nowhere to escape. And the cobbles are more Roubaix-like. :lol:

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Re:

Can't find the running rule in this list

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...ules-regulations-need-know-2019-season-397543

Not sure why the clothing rule is needed clothing cannot change the ‘morphology’ (shape) of a rider

just allow clothing mods - all can do this

It's intent is to prevent things like this used in non-UCI downhill speed attempts (attaining well beyond 200km/h):

as well as preventing other possible clothing modifications such as fabric creating a webbing under arms or large tail sections protruding behind a rider or creating a different shape in front of the rider - all things that can be done with clothing that can provide quite sizeable aerodynamic advantage if done well.

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

Can't find the running rule in this list

https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/...ules-regulations-need-know-2019-season-397543

Not sure why the clothing rule is needed clothing cannot change the ‘morphology’ (shape) of a rider

just allow clothing mods - all can do this

It's intent is to prevent things like this used in non-UCI downhill speed attempts (attaining well beyond 200km/h):

as well as preventing other possible clothing modifications such as fabric creating a webbing under arms or large tail sections protruding behind a rider or creating a different shape in front of the rider - all things that can be done with clothing that can provide quite sizeable aerodynamic advantage if done well.

Does it effectively ban pointy TT helmets? Or are helmets considered equipment rather than clothing?

 

[Nirvana]

Re:

There are other changes that will have a bigger impact.

Biggest impact IMO is the regulation on racing surface limits. From now on, if it's not blocked off with barriers it's legal unless going there blatantly endangers fans. So, going off the cobbles onto the asphalt will be legal if the barriers aren't moved in.

Looking on UCI documents doesn't seem the it's allowed, they still say that it's prohibited but sanctions will be applied only if there will be dangerous situations or clear advantages.

That's the amended part:

Use of sidewalks, paths, cycle paths or verges
It is strictly prohibited to use sidewalks, paths or cycle paths that do not form part of the
course as defined in article 2.2.015, separated by kerbs, verges, level changes or other
physical features.

If a dangerous situation is created inter alia for other riders, spectators or race personnel
by such action or if such action procures a significant advantage over other riders, the
rider will be sanctioned in accordance with article 2.12.007.

Page 3 here http://www.uci.org/docs/default-source/rules-and-regulations-right-column/part-ii-road-races-amendments-to-regulations-as-from-01-01-2019.pdf?sfvrsn=49ad32ed_12

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Add me to the list of not allowing them to run with their bike makes no sense. Maybe because of the Worlds this year, and several riders walking/running up the last part of the hell climb?

The problem with Froome was he left his bike. The rule always prohibited running without your bike.

Running =/= walking
The point being that running alongside your bike could be quicker than climbing a very steep climb and we wouldn't want races decided that way. Of course riders aren't going to be punished because they can't get up a steep climb.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Re: Re:

Add me to the list of not allowing them to run with their bike makes no sense. Maybe because of the Worlds this year, and several riders walking/running up the last part of the hell climb?

The problem with Froome was he left his bike. The rule always prohibited running without your bike.

Running =/= walking
The point being that running alongside your bike could be quicker than climbing a very steep climb and we wouldn't want races decided that way. Of course riders aren't going to be punished because they can't get up a steep climb.

The rule makes no distinction between running and walking:
7.5
Rider undertaking part of the race route on foot, or crossing the finish line on foot, without his or her bicycle.

Yet another rule that they introduce and draft without really thinking about it, will widely ignore, leading to confusion and contempt.

Another classic of UCI approach to rules:
It is strictly prohibited to use sidewalks, paths or cycle paths that do not form part of the
course as defined in article 2.2.015, separated by kerbs, verges, level changes or other
physical features.

If a dangerous situation is created inter alia for other riders, spectators or race personnel
by such action or if such action procures a significant advantage over other riders, the
rider will be sanctioned in accordance with article 2.12.007
It is "strictly prohibited", but we will ignore it most times, and the times on which we will apply it will be entirely subjective.


And talking of badly written rules:
7.3
Attitude or behaviour that has the objective of avoiding elimination
Ermmm, is deciding to compete within the rules not "behaviour that has the objective of avoiding elimination"? I know that is not what it means, but in legislating, the phrasing is everything.

 

[search]

Reading that paragraph, it's clearly about running/walking without the bike though. That's were I see the emphasis on at least.

"Rider undertaking part of the race route on foot [...] without his or her bicycle"

So walking up a climb because it's too steep, crossing the line with a bike that has a mechanical and so on, shouldn't be an issue at all.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Re: Re:

Does it effectively ban pointy TT helmets? Or are helmets considered equipment rather than clothing?

Helmets, shoes, shorts and jerseys are all considered equipment under rule 1.3.033.

Helmets can't be modified by the rider (e.g. you add on a fairing), IOW they must be as they came from the manufacturer and they need to meet both the relevant legal standard for head protection (e.g. Euro / US / ANZ legal standards for head protection) as well as pass the UCI tech innovation regulation, i.e. new innovation requires UCI permission before use, e.g. imagine a heads up display integrated into a helmet visor like a fighter pilot - that would require UCI approval before being permitted in racing.

The fact that helmets have evolved aerodynamic form is similar to bikes frames - innovation with new technology and materials moved faster than regulation and so I guess the UCI decided to permit what was already common practice (bearing in mind the aero helmets were meeting the legal standards for head protection).

I think we can also include a level of aero performance of skinsuits in this category, this has also evolved so I guess they are trying to draw some arbitrary line in the sand to say - up to this point, knock yourself out with innovation/design but that's enough.

Stuff like this add on the rider's back for instance:

or this:

Or this "rain jacket":

 

[RedheadDane]

:lol:

What the heck is going on in those pictures.

Gotta admit, that when I read that clothing rules would be "tightened" I couldn't help but wonder if there would be tighter rules for how tight the clothes can be. Though I suppose anything that hinders circulation might be against the rules…

 

[Koronin]

Re:

Reading that paragraph, it's clearly about running/walking without the bike though. That's were I see the emphasis on at least.

"Rider undertaking part of the race route on foot [...] without his or her bicycle"

So walking up a climb because it's too steep, crossing the line with a bike that has a mechanical and so on, shouldn't be an issue at all.

Good, I hope you're right. It would be, IMO, wrong to not allow at least walking with your bike in case of a climb that's too steep, a mechanical within a few hundred meters of the finish line, or a punchture/flat in the middle of a cobbled section and you need to get to the end of the section to get to your mechanic who has a spare tire.

 

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Re:

:lol:

What the heck is going on in those pictures.

Gotta admit, that when I read that clothing rules would be "tightened" I couldn't help but wonder if there would be tighter rules for how tight the clothes can be. Though I suppose anything that hinders circulation might be against the rules…

Compression garments are not permitted under UCI regulations.

1.3.033 It is forbidden to wear non-essential items of clothing or items designed to influence the performances of a rider such as reducing air resistance or modifying the body of the rider(compression, stretching, support).

Items of clothing or equipment may be considered essential where weather conditions make them appropriate for the safety or the health of the rider. In this case, the nature and texture of the clothing or equipment must be clearly and solely justified by the need to protect the rider from bad weather conditions. Discretion in this respect is left to the race commissaires.

The use of shoe covers is prohibited during events on a covered track.

Equipment (helmets, shoes, jerseys, shorts, etc.) worn by the rider may not be adapted to serve any other purpose apart from that of clothing or safety by the addition or incorporation of mechanical or electronic systems which are not approved as technical innovations under article 1.3.004.