The UCI has officially banned the
INEOS Grenadiers' helmet,
the Kask Aero Pro Visor. Despite receiving less than 24 hours' notice before
the
UAE Tour, the ruling did not prevent
Joshua Tarling from securing victory in
the stage 2 time trial.
Tarling, who claimed the bronze medal in the time trial at
the 2023 World Championships, continues to be one of the most exciting
prospects against the clock.
The jury communique stated: "The Commissaires Panel
informs all Sports Directors that the Equipment Commission of the UCI prohibits
the use of the following kinds of visors of the following brand, Kask.
"Therefore, the riders who do not have a different
helmet shall take the start without those visors for tomorrow’s stage."
A spokesperson for Kask explained
the situation to Cycling
Weekly: "We received the communication from the UCI regarding the ban
of the KASK Aero Pro Visor and KASK Aero Pro Visor 2.0 less than 24 hours
before the time trial at the UAE Tour.
"Despite the very short notice, we took immediate
action to comply with this communication, working closely with the race
commissioners. We have always supported the UCI and complied with their
regulations, and we always will."
INEOS Grenadiers sports director Oli Cookson emphasised the
team's adaptability: "We found a good resolution, especially with the
chief commissaire here, who’s been incredible working with us.
"We’re always looking to work within the rules and also
to push the sport forward, and that will be with our sponsors and materials as
well. I think there’s always that balance."
Cookson reflected on the behind-the-scenes efforts:
"Let’s just say we were the swan’s legs, and the riders were the swan
above the water.
"Everything was managed around that. There’s a lot of
good people in the team, and we had options in place."