UCI president promises to seriously investigate possible gear restrictions in races: "A test is planned for the end of the year, in a competition"

Recent years and months, we've seen more than enough high speed mass crashes that had more or less severe consequences on those involved. Among many other possibilties to reduce the risk of crashes similar to that of Itzulia Basque Country 2024 happening, one is so obvious, yet quite simple. To restrict gear options of riders and therefore reduce their maximum speed in critical moments.

Some riders, like Wout Van Aert, are campaigning for this, notably by proposing to limit gear ratios. "If you're on this descent (which leads to the Kanarieberg) with a limited gear ratio, no one can move. Today, the developments are so great that you're still thinking about overtaking," he noted to L'Equipe after his fall at 2024 Dwars door Vlaanderen.

Desired by the riders, this limitation will indeed be tested, as confirmed by the UCI president, David Lappartient, this Friday in an interview with Ouest-France. "A test is planned for the end of the year, in a competition," he confirmed, without specifying in which race this test would take place.

Despite this confirmation, Lappartient still expressed reservations about this possible limitation of gears. "Reducing speed, in general, is a bit antithetical to a bike race. I personally have very reservations about this limitation of gears, considering that it can also modify the characteristics of the riders, between those who are able to spin and those who manage to take big gears," he explained, specifying that he would also have difficulty drawing conclusions after a single test.

The UCI could also explore other avenues to ensure rider safety, particularly through changes to bib shorts and jerseys. The clothing used these days almost tears at a stronger breeze and provides little to no protection for when riders inevitably hit the asphalt from time to time. While nobody wants riders to compete in armor, perhaps a more durable material could spare riders of a few bruises...