UCI orders extra Tour de France Femmes checks over alleged padded bra aero gains
Riders will face additional clothing inspections before the stage 4 time trial after teams raised concerns over the possible use of padding to create an aerodynamic advantage.
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Under article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, clothing and accessories worn by a rider may not artificially modify their body shape. The rule also prohibits non essential items placed under or integrated into clothing when they are used to create an aerodynamic advantage.
WielerFlits reported on Monday that several Women’s WorldTour teams had contacted the Tour de France Femmes race jury over concerns that some riders may be adding padding to their sports bras during time trials. Increasing the volume around the chest can act as a so called chest fairing, altering the airflow around the rider’s body.
The report did not identify any riders suspected of using the method.
Following the concerns, the race jury issued a specific warning to teams ahead of Tuesday’s 21 kilometre individual time trial from Gevrey Chambertin to Dijon.
“Particular attention will be paid to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations,” the jury wrote, referring to clothing and other items that could modify a rider’s morphology.
All riders must report for the final inspection of their bicycle and clothing no later than ten minutes before their allocated start time. According to AFP, riders will undergo the clothing check in a dedicated tent.
The potential performance benefit is measurable. Aerodynamics professor Bert Blocken has previously studied the use of chest fairings in time trial cycling.
His research found that the largest fairing tested could reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 3.6 per cent, representing a theoretical gain of at least 0.78 seconds per kilometre. The effect depends on the shape and size of the object, with some configurations increasing drag rather than reducing it.
“We are talking about a chest fairing, which alters the airflow around the body and reduces overpressure on the thighs,” Blocken told WielerFlits.
“It is not a gain of tens of seconds, but over a time trial of 20 to 30 kilometres it can save seconds that may prove decisive.”
The checks come before a stage expected to create the first significant gaps in the general classification. Riders using non-compliant clothing could face disqualification under UCI rules.
It is not the first time in 2026 that the regulation has attracted attention. Jan-Willem van Schip was disqualified from the Ronde de l’Oise in June after carrying a bottle under the front of his jersey. Officials ruled that the bottle altered the Dutch rider’s body shape in breach of article 1.3.032.
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