GPS rider safety tracking system confirmed by UCI for Rwanda World Championships

Developed with SafeR (pro cycling's independent body focused on improving rider safety), the system will attach GPS trackers under riders’ saddles across all categories and disciplines, allowing race control to monitor the position and speeds of the riders throughout the racing. 

The system’s technology aims to immediately identify unusual situations, such as riders suddenly stopping, and relay precise information to organisers, commissaires, and medical services to ensure the quickest response times possible.

The Tour de Suisse introduced GPS trackers for all riders involved in the 2025 edition. The urgency for enhanced safety protocols intensified following two tragic incidents in Switzerland, with the death of Muriel Furrer during the 2024 World Championships in Zürich, Switzerland, as well as that of Gino Mäder in the 2023 edition of the Tour de Suisse.

At August’s Tour de Romandie Féminin, the UCI carried out a test of its own system, which caused disruption when five prominent teams refused to participate and were subsequently disqualified from the race.

The disqualified teams issued ajoint statement explaining, “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.”

Nevertheless, the UCI is pressing forward with the implementation at the upcoming World Championships that take place from 21-28 September.

In an official statement, UCI president David Lappartient stated, “The UCI, together with SafeR and in close collaboration with all stakeholders of professional road cycling, is constantly working to improve the safety of riders. The introduction of a GPS safety tracking system for riders is important and necessary progress in this regard”

Lappartient added that, “Thanks to this system, any incident or accident that might have gone unnoticed can be quickly identified, and it will be possible to assist the person concerned as quickly as possible by mobilising those already on the ground and the emergency services. 

The technology will feature in all events at the World Championships in Rwanda, including road races, individual time trials and team time trials for Men and Women Elite, Under 23 and Junior categories. The UCI stated it would continue collaborating with event organisers and stakeholders to develop safety alert protocols and expand the technology's use beyond the World Championships.