The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) announced stricter controls before the fourth stage of the Tour de France Femmes to check for items that could artificially alter a rider's morphology. This measure follows reports from several teams to the race jury that some riders were artificially padding their sports bras to gain an aerodynamic advantage.
During the 21-kilometer individual time trial held on Tuesday, August 4, from Gevrey-Chambertin to Dijon, UCI race commissaires conducted controls of the riders' bras. Riders were required to go to a dedicated tent for these controls ten minutes before the start in Gevrey-Chambertin, France.
Marlen Reusser won the 21-kilometer individual time trial and took the yellow jersey.
Regulatory framework and penalties
According to Article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, items or clothing that artificially change a rider's morphology to provide a performance advantage are prohibited. The UCI issued a communiqué to various teams stating that particular attention would be paid to compliance with this article regarding non-essential elements and clothing that could modify morphology.
Violations of Article 1.3.032 carry penalties including disqualification and fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 Swiss Francs.
Aerodynamic impact
Aerodynamics expert Bert Blocken stated that changing breast shape could reduce air resistance by up to 3.6 percent. On a course of 20 to 30 kilometers, Blocken stated that a change in breast shape could provide an advantage of approximately 0.8 seconds per kilometer.
16 seconds
Potential aerodynamic advantage on a 21-kilometer time trial
Similar reports regarding morphological advantages appeared during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the Giro d'Italia last year. Norwegian rider Sigrid Haugset wore the yellow jersey after winning the third stage in Poligny.
Updates
Race organizer ASO issued a statement regarding the Dutch media reports, while Lidl-Trek's head of technical innovation, Koen de Kort, questioned how the UCI will police these morphological checks, describing the situation as a 'grey area'. Additionally, a wind tunnel study involving a male mannequin found that such aerodynamic fairings can lead to 'significant drag aero reductions'.
Race organizer ASO has issued a statement regarding the reports on aerodynamic padding, while Lidl-Trek's head of technical and innovation, Koen de Kort, has questioned the UCI's ability to police these morphological checks in a 'grey area'. Additionally, wind tunnel studies using a male mannequin demonstrated that such fairings can lead to 'significant drag aero reductions'.
Following reports from Dutch media, race organizer ASO has issued a statement regarding concerns over padding being used as aerodynamic fairings. Lidl-Trek’s head of technical and innovation, Koen de Kort, has questioned the feasibility of policing these morphological checks, describing the issue as a 'grey area.' Additionally, a wind tunnel study using a male mannequin demonstrated that such fairings can lead to 'significant drag aero reductions,' prompting an urgent call from Wielerflits for the UCI to implement measures before the August 4 time trial.
Following the initial reports, the UCI has begun conducting morphological checks on riders using a male assistant as a visual reference, while Koen de Kort of Lidl-Trek emphasized the regulatory grey area in policing such apparel, and new wind tunnel data — though based on a male mannequin — suggests wider fairings yield the greatest aerodynamic gains, intensifying scrutiny ahead of the August 4 time trial.
