Disqualified for using glasses with an integrated camera: the UCI does not allow competing with them

The former Katusha-Alpecin and Burgos BH cyclist Willie Smit has been disqualified from the Tour of Qinghai Lake for using smart Oakley Meta glasses with an integrated camera during the race. A decision that surprised the South African rider himself and has brought attention to a UCI rule that is particularly relevant given the growing popularity of such devices.

Willie Smit disqualified for competing with glasses with an integrated camera: the UCI rule that many cyclists are unaware of

Smit explained on social media that it was the first time in 14 years of professional racing that he was disqualified from a race, and it was due to a rule introduced by the UCI in April in response to the increasing popularity of new recording devices integrated into glasses.

"Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video. Unfortunately, I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibits this. A warning, fine or yellow card could have also been enough. But what I struggle to understand is why in the Tour de France you can literally vlog with a camera in hand, which is perfectly legal... but because the camera is in the glasses, you get an automatic disqualification?!"

The officials took a photograph of his Oakley glasses and later informed him that he could not continue in the race due to the device's ability to record video. According to the cyclist's account, the UCI itself had requested his disqualification.

RECOMENDADO

Why do most cyclists wear their glasses outside their helmets?

Scicon presents the new Pogacar glasses: the Aeroshade 2.0 Titanium

These exclusive 3D-printed titanium Rudy Project glasses cost €950

Van der Poel wins stage 9 of the Tour after a frantic escape with Pidcock, Johannessen and Baudin

Adrien Boichis wins the XCO World Cup in Andorra

Jenny Rissveds wins the XCO World Cup in Andorra and achieves the first double victory in Pal Arinsal

"I was informed that the UCI contacted them and requested my disqualification. They took a photo of the Oakley glasses and simply said that video recording was not allowed," Willie Smit explained.

The South African, who competed in the WorldTour with Katusha-Alpecin between 2018 and 2019 and later was part of Burgos BH, acknowledged that he was unaware of the regulation and did not try to use it as an excuse. However, he did question the severity of the sanction.

Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video. Unfortunately I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this. A warning, fine or yellow card could have also been enough. But what… pic.twitter.com/II7nRUPKsE

— Willie Smit (@williesmurfy) July 12, 2026

"I don't want to make excuses for not knowing the new rules. I'm not sure where they were published. But using common sense, one would think that it's much more dangerous to have a GoPro in hand and make recordings in the biggest bike race in the world," he wrote, referring to the vlogs that Victor Campenaerts has been recording from inside the Tour de France these days.

The UCI does not allow a camera on the cyclist

Although the controversy has arisen now, the regulation that led to Willie Smit's disqualification is not new. Article 1.3.006 bis of the UCI technical regulations was introduced on June 10, 2021, and establishes the conditions under which devices capable of capturing or transmitting data can be used during a competition.  

The UCI allows the use of devices capable of capturing photographs or videos, but states that they must be installed on the bicycle. They can only be carried on the cyclist themselves when the specific regulations of a discipline expressly allow for that possibility.

Therefore, glasses with an integrated camera fall under the category of prohibited devices as they are placed on the rider and not on the bicycle.

The regulation also governs other technological devices. It is allowed to collect positioning data and mechanical parameters such as power, speed, cadence, acceleration, gear used, or tire pressure. Certain physiological data, such as heart rate, body temperature, or sweat rate, are also authorized under the conditions established by the UCI.  

The incident comes at a time when smart glasses with integrated cameras are becoming increasingly common, and what happened to Willie Smit should serve as a reminder. A camera can only be used during a competition under the conditions established by the regulations, and as a general rule, image recording must be done from a device installed on the bicycle.

The popularization of smart glasses may lead to similar situations occurring in the coming months. The rule has been in effect since 2021, but Willie Smit's case demonstrates that it is still unknown even among professional cyclists.