"We arrived one minute late": Lotto DS fined 3000 CHF at Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes over a new TTT rule

The UCI jury had started to enforce a new rule this week which has caused many teams at the on-going Tour Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes to lose a significant amount of money ahead of stage 3 team time trial. The reason? Coming late to an equipment check prior to the team time trial.

Team manager Mario Aerts was swindled out of no less than 3,000 Swiss francs (3,254 euros) because the riders' bikes were not presented in time for the mandatory inspection before the start of the team time trial in Perreux.

According to Article 2.12.007-9.2 of the UCI regulations, this must be done at least ten minutes before the start time of the team concerned in that TTT. Any violation of this is punishable by 500 Swiss francs (542 euros) per rider. In this case: six, because Roel van Sintmaartensdijk already withdrew on Monday.

"Previously, every rider had to be present at the 'check' with their bike fifteen minutes before the start time," explains Lotto-Intermarché team manager Steven De Neef.

"Recently, a margin of five minutes has been allowed, which permits riders to report up to ten minutes in advance. On Tuesday, we ourselves sent a mechanic ahead to the checkpoint with the six time trial bikes on the roof of one of our support vehicles. The riders covered that route on their regular bikes and arrived – I estimate – one minute late."

A minor mistake that is being counted very heavily, raising the question of whether the fine amount is proportionate to the nature of the offense. "It is a lot of money, that is true. But unfortunately, there was nothing we could do about it. It is the first time the new rule is being applied, and the UCI clearly wants to set an example," said De Neef.

Incidentally, Team Jayco AlUla (DS Mathew Hayman) and TotalEnergies (DS Benoît Genauzeau) were also penalized for the same mishap – in their case, the riders were present, but the bikes arrived too late. For them, the fine rose up to rise to 3,500 Swiss francs (3,797 euros) as they started the team time trial with a full team of seven riders.