The race jury at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will pay “particular attention” to riders’ clothing ahead of Wednesday’s individual time trial, following reports of bra padding to improve aerodynamics.
On Sunday, Dutch outlet Wielerflits reported that several women’s WorldTour teams had expressed concern about riders using larger, padded bras as a chest fairings – objects inserted into the skinsuit to smooth the airflow around the body.
Wielerflits said the practice had been seen previously in women’s cycling, including at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Research suggests that large chest fairings can result in time gains of almost a second per kilometre.
UCI rule 1.3.032 specifically prohibits the use of any accessories that “modify the morphology” of a rider. Riders had previously been known to place water bottles or radios down the front of their jersey.
Following stage three of the Tour de France Femmes, the race organiser, ASO, shared a press release that warned extra checks will be present during stage four’s time trial.
The full statement read: “Riders must be to the final checks before the race (bikes and outfit) no later than 10 minutes before their respective start time. Particular attention will be paid to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, including non-essential elements and clothing or other items/accessories worn by a rider (including but not limited to helmets, glasses, shoes or in-race communication devices) which could modify riders’ morphology.”
The UCI rulebook describes “non-essential elements” as “any element which does not have a purpose which is exclusively of clothing or protection, or which is not strictly necessary for the functionality of the clothing, or other item, or accessory”.
Any rider found to have worn “non-compliant" clothing will face disqualification and a fine of 50-200 CHF (£46-184, $62-248), according to the governing body’s regulations.
It is uncertain how the race jury will carry out checks for padded bras. Some reports have suggested inspections be done privately by female commissaires. Even then, confusion remains as to what exactly the jury will be looking for.
“The problem is how are you going to police it?” Lidl-Trek’s head of technical and innovation, Koen de Kort, told The Athletic. “That’s the biggest issue. You can say it’s not allowed [but] how can you say how much a woman needs? That’s time to get pretty much into a grey area of what you’re allowed to check.”
Stage four’s time trial stretches 21km between Gevrey-Chambertin and Dijon, with a 1.8km climb in the first half. It is scheduled to start at 14:51 local time (CET).
