The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international governing body for competitive cycling, is known for incredibly overbearing, sometimes downright wacky rules. And every year, committees at the UCI develop a litany of amendments to the overwhelming number of regulations. But a 2025 change seems to do nothing but take fun out of winning.
Many UCI amendments are certainly warranted. One amendment calls for an increase in the minimum number of ambulances available due to the sharp increase in serious accidents (one of which resulted in a death in 2024). Other rule changes keep bike development in check to somewhat mitigate differences in team budgets.
And, of course, the rules against performance-enhancing drugs are necessary to avoid another Armstrong era.
However, many rules also seem unnecessary, like specifying what type of jersey a racer can wear for different races (road, mountain, downhill, etc.). Other rules appear arbitrary, like the minimum weight rule (14.99 pounds). The UCI could have chosen any weight, but at this weight, it is becoming common for road race teams to have to add weight to bikes that fall under the limit, even in stock form.
Finally, some UCI regulations seem cruel to competitors. One rule prohibits feeding a rider in the first 30 km or last 20 km of a race. Can you imagine bonking with 20 km to go? Or possibly being unable to get fluids on an atrociously hot day due to your position in the group?
And violation of the rules costs teams and competitors money in the form of fines.
But for me, a new amendment for 2025 has taken the cake. It literally takes the fun out of a win.
Celebrate Good Times (or Not)
I admit I have issues with authority. But I swear, for the 40 years I’ve been following professional cycling, I have never seen a UCI official smiling. They always look so serious. They are like the two old men on the balcony in the Muppet Show, but not having fun and laughing. No, the UCI commissaires are pointing fingers at potential violations of obscure rules and scowling.
I follow yearly amendments out of curiosity about what minuscule aspect the UCI will bestow a rule and fine upon. Plenty of rule changes surprised, outraged, or amused for decades. But this rule amendment for 2025 (in red) drew the most ire ever.
What this means to us fun-loving sports fans and participants is that a rider behind a winning teammate cannot raise their arms in celebration. Only the winner can. This may be for safety reasons, but self-preservation should prevail, especially for professionals.
New ‘No Handlebars’ UCI Rule: An Example
Imagine you have been protecting your team leader for 6 hours, riding at your limit. You have climbed the tallest, steepest paved mountains in all of Europe and descended at frightening speeds to stay in contact with your captain.
You rode all the way back to the team car to fetch fluids and food, and then fought the wind alone to get back to your leader. You took the captain’s jacket or sacrificed your own. Maybe you donated your water or food.
Then, in the last 10km, you vehemently protected them from danger in a roiling pack, with every team attempting to keep its leader at the front. You bumped elbows, yelled at others, and turned yourself inside out to keep your leader at the front but in your draft.
Then, with the finish line in sight, you are utterly spent. You cannot continue, so you pull off and coast, so exhausted you are quivering and on the verge of vomiting.
But your leader wins! And, of course, that means you win! Your arms go up in celebration, as do others who were on the lead-out train. It’s a big day for your team, your sponsors, for you.
As you watch your leader step up to the podium to accept palmarès and thank the team, a UCI commissaire taps you on the shoulder and hands you up to a $545 fine. You also get relegated to last place in the group with which you finished. Or worse yet, you get a 25% reduction in points in the category in which you compete in the stage race.
Thanks, UCI
Every sport needs rules and enforcement to keep it safe and fair. However, the UCI seems to make rules just to make new ones.
On top of that, the UCI disregards rules that have been around for decades. These include drafting behind the team car after a mechanical or crash. Or taking a “sticky” bottle from the car (holding on to the bottle momentarily so the rider gets a little push).
I’m chalking this one up to an old, stodgy UCI official having a bad day.
