Images of high-speed crashes have become all too common in professional cycling. The Itzulia 2024 was just the latest example of a worrying pattern: massive crashes on technical descents, where a mistake or a simple impulse to overtake can turn into a tragedy. In this context, a simple but powerful idea is beginning to gain ground among riders: limiting gear ratios to reduce speed at critical moments.
One of the great promoters of this proposal is Wout van Aert, who experienced firsthand the consequences of a crash in the recent Across Flanders. Speaking to L’Équipe, the Belgian explained how overdevelopment in modern shifting encourages risky behavior.
“If you’re on this descent leading to the Kanarieberg with a limited gear ratio, no one can move. Today, the developments are so big that you’re still thinking about overtaking,” he said after his accident.
The idea has not remained just words. UCI president David Lappartient confirmed in an interview with the publication Ouest-France that a test will be conducted to evaluate this gear limitation. It will be towards the end of the year, at a competition yet to be determined.
Lappartient doesn’t hide his doubts, however. “Reducing the speed, in general, is a bit antithetical to a cycling race,” he reflected. “I have a lot of reservations about this limitation, because it could change the characteristics of the riders: between those who spin with agility and those who benefit from long gears.” Moreover, he warned that a single test will not be enough to draw definitive conclusions.
The debate does not end with developments. The UCI also plans to review cyclists’ equipment, starting with clothing. Current bib shorts and jerseys, designed to be lightweight and aerodynamic, offer little protection in the event of a fall.
“While no one wants to see riders wearing armor,” the peloton ironically says, many believe a balance can be struck: stronger materials that help reduce injuries without sacrificing performance.
Source: www.ciclismoaldia.es