23 Feb 2021

Cycling’s world governing body, Union Cycliste International (UCI), recently announced a range of amended rider safety rules ahead of the new season to improve rider safety. 

Among new safety measures was the ban of ‘super-tuck’- position from the professional peloton. A bicycle’s top tube would be prohibited. 

According Article 1.3.008, ‘riders shall normally assume a sitting position on the bicycle.’

The rules require that the only points of support should be: ‘feet on the pedals, the hands on the handlebars and the seat on the saddle’ with riders facing possible suspension from the races if caught descending on their top tubes. 

Furthermore, the aerodynamic position that allows riders to descend faster has been criticised as a dangerous tactic and therefore has also been banned to improve rider safety during races. 

The aerodynamic position, according to UCI shall only be permitted during Time Trials to allow the use of forearms as a point of support on the bicycle handle bar. 

Although the amendments will come into force on April 1 2021, and the impact of banning such positions in local races is very minimal and focused on professional setups, they will affect national federations as their riders compete continentally. 

Local coaches and riders have responded to these new regulations particularly that nations are preparing for the 2021 African Continental Road Championships coming on March 02-06. 

“The safety of cyclists is paramount to cycling competition, and if there is need to introduce new rules to improve cyclists’ safety so be it,” stated UCI accredited coach level 1 Kagiso Potongwane. 

He noted that sporting authorities have a responsibility towards their respective sports. He likened the developments in cycling to the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in football, which caused much controversy and had since been embraced. Therefore he said UCI has a responsibility for the safety of cyclists during competitions. 

Potongwane said in his journey as a cycling coach, he has witnessed instances where accidents were caused by such poses during a race, especially from amateur who in most instances will attempt such stances in local races after witnessing professionals doing them only to cause major crashes. 

He noted that the positions reduce the cyclists’ ability to control their bicycle, and in an emergency the reaction time by the cyclist is greatly reduced. Therefore he said banning them will certainly help improve safety of riders during local road races. 

“UCI took a rightful safety decision,” said national coach and UCI accredited level 2 Jerry Kokwane. He said the use of these positions do not give riders full control of their bikes if anything should happen, ultimately endangering themselves and other riders especially if riding in front of the peloton. 

He said the positions requires skill, balance and perfection which he noted should be gained at development levels, but nevertheless he said the amendments level common ground for competitions. 

Kokwane further indicated that there is need to provide skill training in local cycling. He said to improve rider safety route assessment in races should be done by qualified race route assessors and race directors as well as investing in skills programs from development level.

He noted that local cycling should invest more on qualified coaches at club level in order to address matters of rider safety through training and education. 

UCI Coach Level 2 David Lebalelo, responded to the new rules indicating that to ensure safety in cycling races and routes there is need to adhere to all safety measures as per UCI rrules and regulations. 

He said riders’ safety is paramount in races, adding that with safety ultimately more people will be drawn to the sport. “These measures have to be implemented without failure,” stated Lebalelo adding that in order to attract more international riders to local races, there is also need to advocate for total road closure during races. 

Botswana Cycling Association (BCA) club riders Lloyd Molale of Team Swift, Lebopo Mompe and Bakang Ebudilwe both of Tsela Riders all expressed dismay at the new rules saying ‘they will take away the thrill and element of style in cycling.’ 

The trio believes the positions were an advantage to their performance especially on descends and air winds. ends