‘Do not urinate in your bidon’ - Giro jury issues unusual warning as riders point to Campenaerts as ‘pee bidon’ pioneer

After stage nine of the 2026 race, the organisation published its jury report with fines and decisions from the commissaires. Alongside the standard penalties, however, came a more unexpected note.

In recent days, several riders have reportedly been fined after urinating in areas visible to the public. While nature breaks are a routine part of racing, they are expected to take place away from crowds and on quieter sections of the route.

According to Spanish outlet Ciclo21, the recent sanctions may have led some riders to seek a different solution during the race. That solution, it appears, involved urinating into a water bottle and then throwing it away.

But riders in the Giro peloton have played down the idea that the practice is widespread. Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Arjen Livyns said it was far from common, although not entirely unheard of.

“It doesn’t happen often,” Livyns said. “I’ve never done it myself, and I actually only know one rider who definitely does: Victor Campenaerts. I think he invented the concept, because he was already doing it when we rode together at Lotto.”

Oliver Naesen pointed in the same direction, albeit without fully spelling it out.

“I won’t name names, but V.C. is the expert in that field,” Naesen said. “Although I think Peter Sagan used to do it as well. Me? I’ve genuinely never tried. My bib shorts are too small to fit a bidon in there.”

Campenaerts himself was asked about the subject after the time trial by Sporza. “Pee bidons in the race? I have no idea what you’re talking about,” the Visma | Lease a Bike domestique replied, wearing what was described as a telling smile.

Livyns and Naesen both understand why some riders might look for such a solution. In modern cycling, races rarely ease up for long. Collective nature breaks, once a routine part of the peloton’s rhythm, are harder to organise when the fight for the breakaway drags on and the chase begins almost immediately afterwards.

Still, both riders said they understood why the UCI and Giro organisation would take issue with the so-called "Pee bidons".

“Those bidons obviously have to go somewhere afterwards,” Livyns said. “And people are always eager to pick them up…”

Naesen was equally clear about the problem from a spectator’s point of view.

“I wouldn’t be pleased either if one of my children picked up a bidon like that and then wanted to taste it,” he said.

Although the UCI rulebook does not appear to contain a specific article dealing with that exact scenario, commissaires can sanction behaviour considered improper, indecent or damaging to the image of the sport. Public urination is explicitly included in that area of the regulations.

The jury made clear after the finish on the climb to Corno alle Scale that this would not be tolerated. With Tuesday’s time trial now completed, stage 11 will be the first road stage where officials are expected to keep a particularly close eye on the matter.

How, then, can riders avoid fines in a hectic race like the Giro if the bidon is no longer an option? Livyns said anticipation is key.

“In the stage to Naples, we raced almost exclusively through urban areas for the final hour and a half,” he said. “You have to take that into account and use the opportunities that come before that.”

Naesen, meanwhile, said he usually relies on timing and instinct.

“I really only need 100 metres without spectators,” he said. “Then I can get my ‘merchandise’ out and open the tap immediately. Yes, you can definitely call that a gift.”