Wearing bra padding could be enough to get female cyclists disqualified from the Tour de France after it was claimed it makes them more aerodynamic.
There has been a big clampdown on so-called aerodynamic enhancements in cycling of late, with the International Cycling Union (UCI) checking competitors for anything that may alter their body shape and give them a fraction of an advantage on the track.
Back in June, male rider Jan-Willem van Schip was disqualified for putting a water bottle on his chest, and now the women’s cycling world is getting similar treatment.
Padded bras make cyclists more aerodynamic
As per a report from The Guardian, the UCI has called for extra checks to be made ahead of a time trial race in Dijon after suspicious padding was spotted at the 2024 Olympics.
Stijn Steels, director of the AG Insurance-Soudal team, noticed this, and told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste News: “There was a rider who suddenly had huge breasts.
“Last year, many riders filled their bust area completely with ice or other items to create a larger volume, which gives a much better aerodynamic effect. It’s only a few watts difference [in power], but a few watts matter a lot in a time trial. It’s possible and it does make a difference, but I wouldn’t risk it.”
Kafuffle via WikiMedia CommonsIt’s thought these new, more stringent checks by the UCI were called for by certain cycling teams who had made the same observations as Steels.
For former world champion, Marianne Vos, it’s a positive move by the UCI. She said: “It’s good that they try to enforce the rules. Everybody is looking for the best aerodynamics, so there are some games. But there are rules to live by.
“I don’t think it’s really body searching, so I don’t have a problem with it, as long as it’s not too invasive.”
Elsewhere, Bert Blocken, professor of aerodynamics, aerospace and mechanical engineering at Scotland’s Heriot‑Watt University, backed up the science behind the latest rules.
He explained: “You don’t gain tens of seconds on a time trial, but over 20-30km, it can make a decisive difference.” Apparently, cyclists wearing bra padding could gain 0.78 seconds per kilometre over the course of a race.
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