UCI takes step further and mandates GPS trackers in cycling peloton

The debate about safety in cycling races was reignited after the tragic death of Swiss rider Muriel Furrer. Since then, the UCI has been advocating for the introduction of GPS trackers, but now the cycling union is taking it a step further. The UCI wants to make GPS trackers mandatory for every rider.

This emerges from a letter by UCI president David Lappartient, which Sporza was able to review. Last week, Lappartient sent a letter to all involved parties (teams, organizers, and riders) about the implementation of GPS trackers. "It will be mandatory and phased in across different categories," Sporza quotes the Frenchman.

At the end of last year, the UCI already tested GPS trackers during the Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, in collaboration with Swiss Timing. However, the cycling union will not impose a mandatory system. This means that teams with their own GPS provider may collaborate, provided the GPS trackers comply with UCI guidelines. Teams have until April 30 to submit a proposal.

The Tour of Switzerland, both the men's and women's races, had the premiere last year: in these WorldTour races, riders used GPS tracking for the first time. The UCI was already enthusiastic about this idea, but not everyone was equally happy with the implementation.

About GPS Trackers

Although transponders are already used in all races, GPS trackers are not always employed. There is a fundamental difference between the two. Transponders are essentially a kind of chip that register when someone passes a specific point (in practice, the finish line or a designated intermediate point), whereas GPS devices continuously track the location.

Such a compact tracker, mounted under the saddle, continuously transmits a rider's location. When a rider suddenly stops or drastically reduces their speed, a warning is sent to the team car and race organization. They can then intervene more quickly and dispatch emergency services.