UCI and teams at odds after Tour de Romandie Féminin disqualifications

Canyon//SRAM Zondacrypto, EF Education–Oatly, Lidl–Trek, Team Picnic PostNL and Team Visma | Lease a Bike were all disqualified by the UCI before the opening stage of the Tour de Romandie Féminin.

The disqualified teams released a joint press statement, saying: 'We are shocked and disappointed by the UCI’s decision to disqualify several teams, including ours, from the Tour de Romandie Féminin. Earlier this week, all affected teams sent formal letters to the UCI expressing support for rider safety but raising serious concerns about the unilateral imposition of a GPS tracking device to just one of the riders per team. '

'Despite our cooperation and the existence of a proven and collaborative safety tracking system already tested successfully in other major races (fully operational for the whole peloton and offered to the UCI), the UCI has chosen to impose this measure without clear consent, threaten disqualification, and now exclude us from the race for not selecting a rider ourselves.'

To conclude, the affected team's said 'This action disregards the rights of teams and riders, applies the measure in a discriminatory manner, and contradicts the UCI’s own stated commitment to dialogue with stakeholders.'

Contradicting the teams’ viewpoint, the UCI stated in its press release on the matter: 'Certain teams on the start list for the Tour de Romandie Féminin have refused to comply with the rules for the race related to the implementation of GPS trackers as a test for a new safety system.'

Continuing further 'As communicated in the specific rules for the event and in accordance with articles 1.3.073 and 2.12.007/3.5.3 of the UCI Regulations, teams were required to designate one rider on whose bike the GPS tracker would be fixed. Teams were given further explanations during the Sport Directors pre-event meeting.'

'The UCI regrets that certain teams have objected to the test by not nominating a rider to carry the tracking device and have therewith opted to be excluded from the Tour de Romandie Féminin. In view of this situation, the UCI shall consider if other measures are warranted in accordance with the UCI Regulations.'

In its statement, the UCI also addressed the mention of Velon’s own system, noting: “It should be noted that most of these teams are part of the Velon organisation, which is the owner of its own data transmission system and is working on the development of its own GPS tracking system.”

The UCI’s planned test involves a different system, following an earlier trial during the Tour de Suisse of the Velon system described above, in which teams have invested heavily and every rider carried a device.

The Tour de Romandie Féminin continues with 11 teams and 63 riders remaining in the three-day stage race.

Read also our analysis of the situation.