Several teams in the Women’s Tour de France reported to the UCI that some cyclists were using padded bras to alter the shape of their torsos and gain aerodynamic advantage.
A technique that an expert from Heriot-Watt University estimates could reduce wind resistance by up to 3.6%.
To stop it, the UCI set up tents next to the stage start ramp and began checking the riders’ equipment before they set off. But a video from the Belgian outlet HLN showed that the person who carried out the first inspection was a man, and that is when the scandal switched sides.
“As a woman, I would find it quite intimidating”, said former cyclist Ine Beyen on Sporza. The UCI has already said it will continue monitoring compliance with the regulations, but the question remains: did they stop the cheating or open up another one?