Officials at the Tour de France Femmes are implementing additional checks on riders to ensure they are not gaining an unfair aerodynamic advantage through chest padding. This action follows suspicions raised by unnamed teams that some cyclists were inflating the size of their chests.
The use of padding on chests is prohibited in both cycling and triathlon, as it can provide aerodynamic benefits. Scientific studies suggest that an optimal shape could reduce air resistance by 3.6%, potentially saving 0.78 seconds per kilometre, particularly in time trials.
Tour de France Femmes organisers issued a warning to all teams on Tuesday, stating that "Riders must be to the final checks before the race (bikes and outfit) no later than 10 minutes before their respective start time." The warning also highlighted that "Particular attention will be paid to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, including non-essential elements and clothing or other items/accessories worn by a rider (including but not limited to helmets, glasses, shoes or in-race communication devices) which could modify riders’ morphology."
Cycling's world governing body, the UCI, defines non-essential kit as "any element which does not have a purpose which is exclusively of clothing or protection, or which is not strictly necessary for the functionality of the clothing, or other item, or accessory." Riders found to be in breach of these rules may be removed from the competition and fined.