The ban by the UCI of two positions on the bicycle raises controversy in runners

Home → The blog → The ban by the UCI of two positions on the bicycle raises controversy in runners

From April 1, runners will be prohibited from sitting on their frame tube and using their forearms as a point of support on the handlebars.A decision by the UCI which was quick to react.

If two recent UCI decisions - the presence of a 23rd team on the big towers in 2021 and more severe sanctions for jets of cans and waste in the wild - were generally praised within the peloton, anotherraised the controversy.For security reasons, the body has indeed prohibited the runners two positions, thus presented in the last update of its regulation: "The use of the horizontal upper tube of the bicycle as a seat is prohibited.In the same way, the use of forearms as a point of support on the handlebars is prohibited except during the trial tests.»»

From April 1, 2021, if a runner adopted one of these two positions on the World Tour events, the Worlds and or at the Olympic Games, he will be a fine of 1,000 Swiss francs, a loss of 25points to UCI rankings, or even a out -of -competition or disqualification.

The runners are divided

L'interdiction par l'UCI de deux positions sur le vélo soulève la polémique chez les coureurs

Cette nouveauté a rapidement fait réagir les coureurs, car la « position Mohoric»», du nom de ce coureur slovène qui a popularisé le fait de s'asseoir sur le cadre de son vélo pour être plus aérodynamique, est régulièrement utilisée en course ces dernières années.In addition, it is with the forearms placed on his handlebars that Tim Wellens finished and won the third stage of the Bessèges star last Friday.

"How many runners have you really asked before changing this rule?"thus wrote André Greipel on social networks.The UCI should look at subjects that deserve more urgent attention than this...»» Egan Bernal a plus sèchement estimé qu'il s'agissait d'une décision « ridicule»», Tom Pidcock d'un changement de règle « stupide»»."And next year, Ironed Michal Kwiatkowski, they will forbid us to raise their arms to celebrate a victory, or they will set up speed limitations...»»

À l'inverse, Dan Martin juge que « l'UCI doit être félicitée parce qu'elle est proactive, pour une fois : trop souvent les règles ne sont changées qu'en réaction à un incident grave»».

The Syndicate of runners in support of the UCI

Gianni Bugno, le président du syndicat des coureurs (CPA), a lui défendu cette nouveauté en jugeant, auprès de Cyclingnews, que les membres du peloton ont « une responsabilité en tant que modèles»».

"These positions are perhaps not a danger to pros runners, but they are for young runners and amateurs who will try to imitate them," he said, "adding that Philippe Gilbert and Matteo Trentin representedrunners during discussions with UCI.The one who descends at 70 km/h at the front of the peloton with the forearms on the handlebars takes the risk of bringing all the rest of the peloton with him.This is why these positions were prohibited.»»