The controversy has an effect: the UCI announces extraordinary inspections at the women's Tour

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has quickly responded to the controversy that has arisen in recent hours regarding the possible use of padding under the jersey to gain an aerodynamic advantage in time trials. Just hours before the time trial stage of the Tour de France Femmes, the commissioners have informed all teams that controls on the clothing and equipment of the riders will be strengthened before the start.

The UCI reacts to the controversy and announces specific controls against possible aerodynamic tricks in the Tour de France Femmes

The decision comes just a day after several women's WorldTour teams publicly denounced the alleged use of "chest fairings," that is, modifications to the volume of the chest using padding in the sports bra to improve aerodynamic penetration.

Controls before the start of the time trial

In the statement sent to the teams, the UCI informs that all riders must present themselves at least ten minutes before their start time to pass the technical inspection of their bicycles, accessories, and equipment.

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In addition to the usual checks, the commissioners announce that they will pay special attention to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, which prohibits any non-essential or accessory element that artificially modifies the morphology of the cyclist.

The text sent to the teams specifies that the controls will affect any element that may alter the rider's body profile, including clothing, helmets, glasses, shoes, communication devices, and any other accessory used during the competition.

A direct response to the peloton's complaints

The UCI's decision comes after several teams expressed their concern about a practice that, they allege, some riders have used in important international time trials.

The system would consist of introducing padding under the sports bra to artificially increase the volume of the chest and create a "chest fairing," a more aerodynamic shape that smooths the airflow towards the legs and reduces drag.

Until now, although the regulations already included this prohibition, the teams themselves claimed that there was hardly any specific surveillance over this type of modification.

Science supports that the advantage exists

The controversy has gained special relevance because it is backed by scientific research.
Professor Bert Blocken, an aerodynamics specialist from Heriot-Watt University and LUT University, has been studying this phenomenon for years. His work concludes that an object with the right shape placed on the chest can reduce aerodynamic drag by up to 3.6%, which is approximately equivalent to 0.78 seconds per kilometer in a time trial.

On a course like Tuesday's, 21 kilometers between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon, that improvement could translate into more than 16 seconds of advantage, a potentially decisive difference in the fight for the general classification.

Blocken also recalled that years ago he conveyed these conclusions to the UCI itself during discussions with Michael Rogers, head of the sports area of the international body, when cases of riders using spokes or bottles under the jersey for aerodynamic purposes began to be detected.

The precedent of "ice socks"

This is not the first time the UCI has acted to prevent modifications to the body profile of cyclists.
During the recent Tour de France 2026, the international body banned the use of the well-known "ice socks," bags or socks with ice that some riders placed under their jerseys to combat heat. Although their main purpose was to improve cooling, the UCI considered that they could also alter the shape of the body and provide an aerodynamic benefit, so it decided to ban them during the race.
Now, the organization seems to be following the same course of action in the Tour de France Femmes, reinforcing inspections to ensure that no rider gains advantages through unauthorized modifications to their equipment.

Sanctions can lead to disqualification

Articles 1.3.032 and 1.3.033 of the UCI regulations state that clothing can only serve its function as apparel and cannot artificially modify the athlete's morphology.

If any infringement is detected during the checks, the consequences can range from financial penalties and loss of UCI points to disqualification from the event in the most serious cases.

The time trial this Tuesday will therefore be the first major test to see how far the UCI is willing to enforce a regulation that has existed for years, but whose application had hardly generated attention until the controversy that arose on the eve of the Tour de France Femmes.