The UCI prohibits the repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide to preserve the health of cyclists

The Management Committee of the International Cycling Union (UCI) has approved the prohibition of repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide to protect the health of cyclists. This new regulation will come into effect on February 10, 2025, and with this measure, one of the most controversial practices of recent months comes to an end.

UCI prohibits repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide in cyclists

During the past summer, news broke about the use of carbon monoxide by some elite cyclists to measure total hemoglobin mass and blood volume, but repeated inhalation can cause serious health problems such as headaches, lethargy, nausea, dizziness, and confusion. Symptoms that, according to recent studies, could lead to more serious health problems such as cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, paralysis, or loss of consciousness.

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With this new UCI regulation, the possession outside of a medical center of commercial CO breathing systems connected to oxygen and CO cylinders will be prohibited. This restriction applies to all license holders, teams, and entities subject to UCI regulations, as well as to anyone who owns such equipment on behalf of cyclists or teams.

The use of CO will only be allowed in medical facilities under the supervision of a specialized professional, and with specific restrictions: only one inhalation will be allowed to measure total hemoglobin mass, and a second inhalation can only be done two weeks after the first.

For cyclists in UCI WorldTeams, UCI Women's WorldTeams, and UCI ProTeams, any CO inhalation to measure hemoglobin must be recorded in each athlete's medical record.

A new regulation requires WorldTeam teams to compete in the three Grand Tours and the five Monuments

The Management Committee also approved a modification to the participation rules in the UCI WorldTour and Women's WorldTour starting in 2026, with the aim of ensuring the presence of the best teams in the most prestigious events.

According to the new regulations, all UCI WorldTeams will be required to compete in the three Grand Tours (Giro d'Italia, Tour de France, and La Vuelta a España) and in the five Monuments (Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Il Lombardia). Of the remaining events on the UCI WorldTour calendar, each team may miss only one race. No more than four teams can be absent from the same event, and a team cannot miss the same event more than once in the 2026-2028 registration cycle. Any vacant spot will be offered to a UCI ProTeam by invitation.

For the UCI Women's WorldTour, these rules will only apply to the Vuelta a España Femenina by Carrefour.es, the Giro d'Italia Women, and the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

UCI President David Lappartient emphasized the importance of these decisions: "The UCI takes a firm and necessary stance by prohibiting the repeated inhalation of carbon monoxide for medical reasons. Our priority is to protect the health and safety of athletes, and this decision is a significant step in that direction."

"With the modification of the participation rules in the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women's WorldTour, organizers, riders, and fans can be assured that the best teams will be present in all competitions."