Several teams at the Women's Tour de France have accused riders of stuffing padding into their bras to gain a speed advantage, prompting cycling's governing body to tighten clothing checks before today's stage four time trial.
Cyclists are suspected of placing padding in their bras, which redirects airflow around the body and reduces resistance, in a banned practice known as chest fairing. Several teams are reported to have complained to Dutch cycling outlet WielerFlits.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) banned jerseys with front internal pockets earlier this year because they could hold nutritional products and provide an aerodynamic advantage. Chest fairing is a known issue in both women's and men's cycling.
The aerodynamic gains at stake
A 2024 analysis by aerodynamics professor Bert Blocken found that offenders could improve their 21-kilometre time trial performance by 16 seconds. Blocken's research showed cyclists could achieve a 3.6 per cent drag reduction through chest fairing, gains he said could "decide who wins or loses a time trial."
In time trials, riders adopt a tucked position that creates a pocket between their helmet, shoulders and chest. Increasing chest protrusion is thought to redirect air away from this area and reduce pressure on the thighs.
UCI tightens clothing checks
Teams have been sent a notice that the UCI jury will pay special attention to competitor clothing ahead of the time trial. How officials will enforce this without being invasive remains unclear, though some teams have suggested a female juror check riders in a tent to protect their privacy.
"Riders must be at the final checks before the race (bikes and outfit) no later than 10 minutes before their respective start time," a UCI order said. It added that "particular attention will be paid to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, including nonessential 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."
Blocken told Telegraph Sport he had seen photographs that "seemed to suggest that there are indeed some objects that some female riders stick behind their shirt."
Echoes of a ski jumping scandal
The row follows a similar controversy at the Winter Olympics this year, when ski jumpers were alleged to have injected hyaluronic acid into their genitals to increase the surface area of their skinsuits and gain greater lift.
A scandal at last year's world championships found that the Norwegian team had adjusted seams around the crotch to achieve the same effect. Head coach Magnus Brevik, assistant coach Thomas Lobben and staff member Adrian Livelten were each handed 18-month bans. Defending Olympic ski jump champion Marius Lindvik and Johann Andre Forfang were suspended for three months, though investigators found the athletes were unaware of the plot.