UCI issues statement on GPS tracker disqualifications in Romandie: Visma | LaB and Picnic among those excluded

After the death of Muriel Furrer at the World Cycling Championships in Zurich, there were growing calls for greater safety in the peloton. Several people called for GPS trackers: after all, the young Swiss woman had been lying on the road for a long time without anyone knowing she was missing. The UCI decided to intervene and announced that the Tour de Romandie would be the first race where GPS trackers would be tested.

A good step, you might say. But not all teams support the decision. The UCI forced this decision on them, according to a letter intercepted by cycling journalist Daniel Benson. Trackers had already been tested in the Tour de Suisse, but that was in collaboration between the organization and the teams. Now the international cycling union is taking control, and that is not being taken well.

"The teams will not give the UCI permission to use trackers during the race," it is reported. Fortunately, disqualification does not seem likely. "If the UCI threatens disqualification, the teams will not stop the UCI from installing the trackers, because it would be unfair to all teams, the riders, the organization, and the fans."

Despite this, the teams are still unhappy with the UCI's actions. The cycling federation has got itself into a mess, they say. “On August 13, the UCI stated: ‘The broader discussion about the implementation of GPS systems in the professional peloton is a major topic and discussions will be held with all stakeholders.’ The actions of the UCI contradict this statement.”

While the first women have already started the time trial, the UCI has stated the situation and the disqualifications. “The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) regrets that certain teams on the start list for the Tour de Romandie Féminin have refused to comply with the rules for the race related to the implementation of GPS trackers as a test for a new safety system,” the statement reads. “The decision of these teams to oppose the specific rules for the event is surprising, and undermines the cycling family’s efforts to ensure the safety of all riders in road cycling by developing this new technology.”

Each team had to designate one rider to whom the 63-gram GPS tracker would be attached to the bike. “The UCI regrets that certain teams have objected to the test by not nominating a rider to carry the tracking device and have therewith opted to be excluded from the Tour de Romandie Féminin. In view of this situation, the UCI shall consider if other measures are warranted in accordance with the UCI Regulations.”

The teams that have refused to participate in the test with GPS tracking technology – and have therefore been excluded from the Tour de Romandie Féminin – are Canyon//Sram zondacrypto, EF Education-Oatly, Lidl-Trek, Picnic PostNL, and Visma | Lease a Bike. "It should be noted that most of these teams are part of the Velon organisation which is the owner of its own data transmission system and is working on the development of its own GPS tracking system," the UCI said. “It is deplorable to witness the refusal of certain teams to move forward together to protect the safety of riders, and the UCI condemns their non-cooperation,” the press release concludes.