UCI rolls out key safety device under the saddle at World Championships, nearly a year after Muriel Furrer’s death

The GPS tracking system was the subject of discussion when, a year ago, Swiss talent Muriel Furrer fell during the World Championships and ultimately died. The rider was not reported missing for a long time and was not immediately found at the side of the road. The call for a GPS system became even louder in a sport where athletes are not always visible.

The UCI wanted to test it, but that caused a lot of hassle. The system was tested in the Tour de Romandie for women. Still, due to differences of opinion about the policy to be pursued, not all participating teams were willing to cooperate. They were subsequently disqualified from participation by the cycling association.

After excluding several teams, the UCI continued testing the GPS system in Romandie. “This allowed the GPS tracking technology used in Rwanda to be tested and further refined,” the federation wrote. At the World Championships, all participants, from the elite category to the juniors, will have a GPS safety tracking device under their saddle.

The system ensures that the position and speed of all athletes can be tracked individually. “This allows unusual situations, such as a sudden stop by a rider on the course, to be identified immediately. In such a case, the exact position of the rider is communicated to the relevant parties in the convoy.”

The people on site can then take appropriate measures, whether it's a flat tire, a crash, or something else. “The UCI, together with SafeR and in close collaboration with all stakeholders of professional road cycling, is constantly working to improve the safety of riders.”

UCI President David Lappartient is pleased with the new technology at the World Championships. “The introduction of a GPS safety tracking system for riders is an important and necessary progress in this regard. Thanks to this system, any incident or accident that might have gone unnoticed can be quickly identified, and it will be possible to assist the person concerned as quickly as possible by mobilising those already on the ground and the emergency services.”