The UCI is responding to allegations from the peloton and is carrying out more thorough checks on the riders’ kit ahead of the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes. Several WorldTour teams had complained about the use of padded bras during time trials. The additional padding under the racing suit provides a measurable aerodynamic advantage, as it redirects the airflow around the body. The 21-kilometre time trial between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon was the first major turning point in the battle for the overall victory.
Regulations and controls
Articles 1.3.032 and 1.3.033 of the UCI regulations prohibit the use of items that artificially alter the shape of the body. So-called ‘chest fairings’ – objects inserted into the skinsuit to alter the shape of the chest area – have been banned for some time now.
On Monday evening, the UCI Jury issued an unusual warning in the Tour de France Femmes communiqué ahead of the fourth stage. It states: “Particular attention will be paid to compliance with Article 1.3.032 of the UCI Regulations, including non-essential items and clothing or other objects/accessories worn by a rider (including, but not limited to, helmets, glasses, shoes or communication devices during the race) that could alter the riders’ physique.”
The riders had to report for checks in a tent set up specifically for this purpose ten minutes before the start of their time trial in Gevrey-Chambertin. The UCI wants to ensure that no alterations have been made to the shape of the chest area. Some teams suggested that female officials should carry out the checks in a closed tent to ensure that no unnecessary padding is worn in bras or under skinsuits.
A grey area in implementation
Enforcing the rule is proving difficult. Koen de Kort, Head of Technology and Innovation at Lidl-Trek, told The Athletic: “The problem is how you’re going to monitor it. That’s the biggest challenge. You can say it’s not allowed, but how do you determine how much padding a woman needs? It’s quite a grey area.” His team had tested various types of bras and found that some padded models offer advantages, but these were not used in the race.
The UCI regulations define “non-essential elements” as “any element that does not serve the sole purpose of providing clothing or protection, or that is not strictly necessary for the functionality of the clothing or any other item or accessory”. Female riders wearing “non-compliant” clothing face disqualification and a fine of between 50 and 200 CHF.
Cases from recent years
This phenomenon is nothing new. Similar cases had already been spotted at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the 2025 Giro d’Italia. In the men’s peloton, Remco Evenepoel in the time trial at the 2023 Road World Championships and Jonas Vingegaard in the time trial at the 2023 Tour de France were clearly using fairings in their skinsuits.
Wearing team radios on the chest rather than on the back, on the other hand, is permitted and is practised by almost all professional cyclists. The UCI has tightened its controls in recent years and, this summer, banned the use of jerseys with internal front pockets. A few days later, Jan Willem van Schip was disqualified from a race for carrying a water bottle in the front pocket of his jersey.
The time trial as a key stage
The 21-kilometre time trial between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon was one of three decisive stages in the Women’s Tour de France. This is another reason why such meticulous attention is paid to even the smallest changes, as, in the end, just a few seconds can make the difference between victory and defeat.
Leon Weidner
Editor
