The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) issued today extensive guidelines for vehicles in the race convoy aimed at all drivers of vehicles in a road cycling event.
The guidelines have the support of the Security and Technical Regulations working group made up of the UCI, the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), the Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels (AIGCP) and the Association Internationale des Organisateurs de Courses Cyclistes (AIOCC), respectively representing the riders, teams and organisers.
Under the new Regulation, anyone contravening the rules can be sent to the UCI Disciplinary Commission. Several cases are currently in progress. Commissaires and Organisers can now use this Guide to ensure that traffic at races moves smoothly. The Guide is also an important education tool for training courses organised by National Federations.
Amongst the listed requirements for drivers include the holding of valid driving and UCI licences, zero use of alcohol or narcotics and no utilisation of mobile phones, even via headsets or car speaker systems. TV screens are banned in the front of the vehicle.
As regards vehicles, requirements include that they are in perfect working order and that Radio Tour must be turned on and monitored at all times.
For motorbikes, they are required to be ‘sufficiently manoeuvrable and suited to the requirements of a cycling event.’ There is a preference – although unfortunately not a requirement – that bikes should have what is termed ‘a reasonable engine size on order to limit the overall weight of the bike,’ and be as compact as possible.
UCI president Brian Cookson referred to the guide as an important step forward, and said that it ‘reflects the concrete efforts made by the UCI and all stakeholders to improve the safety of riders at competitions.’
“This Guide for vehicle circulation in a race is an important step forward which reflects the concrete efforts made by the UCI and all stakeholders to improve the safety of riders at competitions.”, said Cookson.
“I would like to acknowledge the constructive spirit shared by our Federation, the riders, teams, Commissaires and organisers during this in-depth work. We call on the drivers’ sense of responsibility to guarantee the safety of riders. This document backs up our Regulation, which was strengthened last year, and will serve as a reference for Commissaires and organisers as well as anyone working at a race. This Guide is proof of our determination to assume our responsibilities in the face of a capital issue: the security of our sport and our athletes.”
Jean-François Pescheux, former director of competitions in the organisation of the Tour de France and UCI Technical Adviser, declared: “More than 40 years’ experience in the world of cycling has allowed me to pass on to a new generation the best practices and techniques for organising a cycling event. This guide is anything but a revolution: let’s not re-invent what works well but simply harmonise our working methods with the main objective of improving the safety of our events.”
There are many other rules and recommendations, and you can read them here.
