"The current system is not designed to protect health": cyclists rise up and demand mandatory control from the UCI

After the debate on health in the Tour de France Femmes, the Cyclists' Association now demands from the UCI a mandatory protocol for the detection of relative energy deficiency in sports.

Cyclists want to prioritize their health over performance

The controversy surrounding the health of professional cyclists, reignited after the Tour de France Femmes, has led The Cyclists' Alliance (TCA), the union representing the women's peloton, to demand that the UCI implement mandatory annual screening to detect RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) and bone mineral density tests. The organization has also announced that it will launch an education and awareness program on health and well-being for riders and teams this fall.

RED-S occurs when the body receives less energy (calories) than it needs to cover the training and competition expenses. This causes a disruption of essential physiological functions such as metabolism, bone health, menstrual cycle, immune function, or recovery capacity. Among its most common symptoms are persistent fatigue, loss of muscle mass, frequent injuries, hormonal imbalances, and decreased performance, which can seriously compromise the athlete's career and long-term health.

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The debate arose after Pauline Ferrand-Prévot's historic victory in the French round, accompanied by reports of her weight loss. Several cyclists took the opportunity to publicly speak out about their well-being and their relationship with eating disorders. Runner-up Demi Vollering stated on social media: "Every decision in my career I make putting my health first", while Cédrine Kerbaol, eighth in the general classification, warned that women's cycling is going through "a dangerous moment" in terms of pressure to maintain a low weight.

TCA president Grace Brown pointed out: "The current system is not designed to protect women's health. Our obligation is to continue educating and advocating for better standards that allow for performance with well-fed, strong, and happy bodies".

TCA has formally invited the UCI to reconsider its proposal and offers its technical support to implement a protocol that also includes male cyclists. "We know it will require work, but we believe it is worth it to protect the health of those who compete professionally," concludes the statement.