When UCI Rules Are Bent But Not Broken

Necessity is often the mother of invention, and Pello Bilbao’s mechanics ingenuity was on full display at the prologue of the 2023 Tour Down Under. The stage was a time trial with a twist, since the use of actual time trial bikes wasn’t allowed but some aero components and gear, such as helmets, wheels, skinsuits and show covers, were.

As a result, the mechanics from several teams racing in the Tour Down Under this year ended up getting creative with their rider’s set ups and positions on their road bikes, effectively trying to mimic the position of a time trial bike as much as possible while staying within the bounds of what is allowed by the UCI.

The mechanical creativity was especially noticeable on Pello Bilbao’s Merida road bike. His mechanics moved his brake levels much higher on his road bars and turned them inward, along with turning them up slightly, not only minimizing drag but also allowing the rider to get into an aerodynamic position that visually looked very similar to the fore-arm time trial position AKA “puppy paw” that has been banned by the UCI.

Speaking of the UCI, lively banter on bike twitter began almost immediately about whether the international governing body of cycling will ban this position in the future.

You Might Also Like

• The Right Chain Lube Can Save You Thousands

• Everything You Need to Start E-Bike Commuting

• 7 Things You Should Do After Every Rainy Ride