Kristen Faulkner rode the
Strade Bianche with a blood glucose monitor, despite not suffering from diabetes. Due to that, she was disqualified from the race by
UCI, after finishing in a very honorable 3rd place. Faulkner didn't agree with that measure and releases an official statement on her personal Instagram page contesting the measure.
"I believe they are a valuable tool for athletes – especially women – to take care of our physical health, though that is a conversation for another time. We request that the UCI start to see CGMS [continuous glucose monitors] as
a tool for athletes to protect their bodies, not as some sort of
performance enhancement device. This isn't about going faster, this is
about health", she said.
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$3,700/ €3,500/ £3,075 in prizes! Despite this contentment, the UCI decision appears to be definitive and Faulkner is officially relegated to her podium in Strade Bianche with FDJ. Suez rider Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig moving up to the podium.
"I have never used glucose data in competition, which I provided ample evidence of to the UCI… I was under the impression I could race with my device if it did not record any data because there was no performance advantage whatsoever, I hope we can use my situation to educate the world about the link between menstrual cycles, glucose levels, and overall women's health.", she concluded.