UCI bans two way radios for all racing

"The members were of the opinion that two-way radio distorts the nature of cycle sport" The Management Committee of the International Cycling Union (UCI) met today in Lugano,  during the UCI Road World Championships.

Amongst other decisions was a note about the use of two-way race radios.

"After a thorough discussion of the subject of the use of two-way radio in races, the Management Committee decided to accept the UCI Road Commission's recommendation to gradually phase out the use of two-way radio for all categories of rider."

During the Tour de France the UCI had planned on racing two stages without radio as a trial run.  In the first stage the ban created mixed views, with both sides of the debate very vocal. Kiwi Julian Dean was one of the riders who could see both sides of the issue.

"There are positives and negatives with having the radios.  It [having race radio] certainly improves safety but it does to a certain extent take away from riders' own race intuition. Today there was a different feel in the peloton without the radios," he told RoadCycling.co.nz after the race.

Team managers had been vocal in their criticism of the ban, with many of the teams signing a petition to have the radio ban overturned.  With these complaints, the UCI cancelled the second race radio ban.

"To put an end to the controversy which is compromising the running of the Tour de France, the International Cycling Union (UCI) Management Committee has decided not to repeat the experiment of a stage without radio communication on Friday 17th July," they said .

At the time the UCI said it would continue the debate on the appropriateness of using radios during racing.  After further discussion with all parties involved, they have decided the ban is appropriate.

"The members were of the opinion that two-way radio distorts the nature of cycle sport. They also took into account the desire expressed by the majority of those involved in cycling to prohibit the equipment," today's statement read. 

A ban on two-way radio is already in place for the Junior and Under-23 categories.


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