Following controversy at the Tour of Flanders, where pro riders were disqualified for discarding drinks bottles outside of designated zones, the Professional Cycling Council has examined new rules introduced by the UCI in 2021 to reinforce rider safety during men’s and women’s road races.
The Professional Cycling Council (PCC) is a body comprising representatives of riders (CPA), teams (AIGCP), organisers (AIOCC) and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
At a recent PCC meeting, representatives of UNIO (association of women’s teams) and CPA Women (association representing women riders) were also invited to participate in the discussions.
‘Members of the PCC and the representatives of women’s cycling reaffirmed their support for the safety plan adopted by the UCI Management Committee on 4 February, and notably for the measures concerning the discarding of bottles and waste. However, they declared themselves in favour of an adjustment of the sanctions linked to the new rules.’
In a release, the UCI noted that… ‘Throwing bottles and waste outside dedicated zones provided by the organiser for this purpose remains forbidden. However, the riders have the possibility to get rid of their bottles and waste by giving them to team assistants positioned on the roadside, in charge of feeding, and to the following vehicles of teams and the organisers.
‘Throwing bottles to the public, in particular, is a proven danger both for the riders and the public: on multiple occasions, crashes have been caused by bottles thrown to spectators and coming back onto the road, and spectators have been injured by bottles thrown by riders into the public.’
Moreover, the UCI wants to avoid fans, notably children, trying to get close to riders during races, to avoid accidents with potentially dramatic consequences (collision with riders or vehicles in the race caravan, for example).
Throwing bottles and waste outside dedicated zones for this purpose will now be sanctioned as follows:
- At a one-day race, the first infringement will be punished by a fine and a deduction of UCI points (respectively 100 to 500 Swiss francs and 5 to 25 points depending on the class of event). A second infringement will result in the disqualification of the offending rider. Previously, the regulation stipulated a fine, deduction of UCI points and immediate disqualification from the first violation.
- At stage races, the first infringement will be punished by a fine and a deduction of UCI points (respectively 100 to 500 Swiss francs and 5 to 25 points depending on the class of event). The second infringement will result in a time penalty (1 minute) and the third to disqualification. Previously, the regulation stipulated a fine, deduction of UCI points and a 30-second time penalty for the first infringement, a 2-minute time penalty for the second infringement and disqualification for the third.
The UCI adds that it will closely monitor the implementation of the revised rules. After assessment this year, it could adapt the sanctions if the riders and teams repeatedly violate the rule covering the throwing of bottles and waste outside dedicated litter zones.
The measures discussed during the PCC meeting will be able to come into force – most probably on Saturday April 17 – after formal approval by the UCI Management Committee.
The UCI clarifies that the fines collected for littering will be allocated to the UCI’s Environmental Strategy.
UCI President David Lappartient said “The implementation of measures in 2021 aiming to reinforce rider safety is the object of careful assessment, and the UCI has pursued its consultations with all concerned.
“Following these numerous exchanges with the different stakeholders, it was judged appropriate to adapt the sanctions for the new rules concerning the discarding of bottles and waste outside dedicated litter zones.
“The UCI is pleased that a solution acceptable to all parties could be found, which maintains the essential: the safety of riders and the public and cycling’s environmental responsibility.”
