– By definition, it is probably more misogynistic than it is “women’s aid”. I don’t quite understand what the old guys in the UCI are up to. I would say that it is more misogynistic and at least anti-small riders.
– By definition, it is probably more misogynistic than it is– By definition, it is probably more misogynistic than it is. I don’t quite understand what the old guys in the UCI are up to. I would say it’s more misogynistic and at least anti-young riders.. I don’t quite understand what the old guys in the UCI are up to. I would say it’s more misogynistic and at least anti-young riders.
That’s what the Norwegian talent Felix Ørn-Kristoff, who is the younger brother of Alexander Kristoff, told NRK.
He is clearly committed, and a little angry, about the rule change that will be introduced from 2026.
CRITICAL: Felix Ørn-Kristoff is very surprised by the new rules from the UCI. Here from this year’s version of the Tour of Norway.
On Thursday, the announcement from the UCI came that has created a stir in the cycling field.
Starting next season, riders must have handlebars that are at least 40 centimeters wide. The rules apply to road and gravel bikes that will compete in UCI races.
– The new collars and measurements are much wider than my shoulders. It will be a very unnatural position. It is a big disadvantage for all smaller riders, says Ingvild Gåskjenn to NRK. She is among the stars of the Danish/Norwegian Uno-X team.
The new collars and measurements are much wider than my shoulders. It will be a very unnatural position. It is a big disadvantage for all smaller riders, saysThe new collars and measurements are much wider than my shoulders. It will be a very unnatural position. It is a big disadvantage for all smaller riders, saysto NRK. She is among the stars of the Danish/Norwegian Uno-X team.to NRK. She is among the stars of the Danish/Norwegian Uno-X team.
THE VIEW: This is what Ingvild Gåskjenn’s view looks like on the bike seat. The handlebars on her bike are four centimeters away from the new UCI requirements from 2026.
She can cycle with handlebars that are 36 centimeters wide – starting next season, the handlebar width must be increased by four centimeters for her to be able to participate in cycling races at all.
She cycles with handlebars that are 36 centimeters wide – starting next season, the handlebar width must be increased by four centimeters for her to be able to participate in cycling races at all.She cycles with handlebars that are 36 centimeters wide – starting next season, the handlebar width must be increased by four centimeters for her to be able to participate in cycling races at all.She cycles with handlebars that are 36 centimeters wide – starting next season, the handlebar width must be increased by four centimeters for her to be able to participate in cycling races at all.
After its introduction, reactions have been overwhelming.
After its introduction, reactions have been mixed.After its introduction, reactions have been mixed.After its introduction, reactions have been mixed.
“These new rules are highly discriminatory against women and smaller men,” a source who works closely with several of the biggest cycling teams in the world tells Bikeradar.
It is particularly discriminatory against smaller cyclists and especially women
“This rule is completely ruining it for female cyclists,” writes cycling guru Benji Naesen on X.
– Incomprehensible
IncomprehensibleIncomprehensibleIncomprehensible
According to the UCI, the new rules have been introduced for safety reasons.
More and more riders have started to ride with narrower and narrower handlebars, in order to sit in a more aero position. The most extreme example is Taco van der Hoorn. He has had handlebars that were only 32 centimeters wide.
This can, according to the UCI, compromise the safety of riders. The narrower the handlebars, the more difficult it can be to maneuver the bike.
- NRK has tried to get in touch with UCI, so far without success.
NRK has tried to get in touch with UCI, so far without success.
– You just look stupid on the bike and the rule makes it worse for many cyclists. It’s an incomprehensible rule they’ve made, says Ørn-Kristoff.
– You just look stupid on the bike and the rule makes it worse for many cyclists. It’s an incomprehensible rule they’ve made, says Ørn-Kristoff.– You just look stupid on the bike and the rule makes it worse for many cyclists. It’s an incomprehensible rule they’ve made, says Ørn-Kristoff.– You just look stupid on the bike and the rule makes it worse for many cyclists. It’s an incomprehensible rule they’ve made, says Ørn-Kristoff.
“SCARY EXAMPLE”: Felix Ørn-Kristoff singles out former 2014 Tour de France winner Vincenzo Nibali as a rider who rode with handlebars wider than his shoulders.
Several riders that NRK has spoken to strongly disagree with the UCI’s safety argument.
– Your shoulders are more strained than if you sit in a natural position, says Gåskjenn.
“You put more strain on your shoulders than if you were sitting in a natural position,” says Gåskjenn.”You put more strain on your shoulders than if you were sitting in a natural position,” says Gåskjenn.
– It is incomprehensible why they have seen exactly those dimensions in the rules, and why they have decided that there must be a minimum width of 400 mm. It is completely absurd, says Ørn-Kristoff.
It is incomprehensible why they have seen exactly those dimensions in the rules, and why they have decided that there must be a minimum width of 400 mm. It is completely absurd, says Ørn-Kristoff.It is incomprehensible why they have seen exactly those dimensions in the rules, and why they have decided that there must be a minimum width of 400 mm. It is completely absurd, says Ørn-Kristoff.
NRK explains
NRK explainsNRK explains
Why is aerodynamics so important in cycling?
Why is aerodynamics so important in cycling?
Dei aerodynamiske lovene
Aerodynamic drag is the force of the air that slows down the body moving through it. The faster you ride, the more the air slows you down.
Why is aerodynamics so important in cycling?
The fight to be the most streamlined
Air resistance is by far your “biggest problem” as a cyclist. The more streamlined the shape (the shape that provides the least possible air resistance), the lower the air resistance. This also allows you to cycle faster.
Why is aerodynamics so important in cycling?
Two resistance factors for cyclists
Where does a cyclist’s power go if they cycle on a flat road with no wind? Some of the power is lost in friction (chainrings, bike bearings, and rolling resistance from the tires) and aerodynamic resistance.
Why is aerodynamics so important in cycling?
Higher speed = higher resistance
The force of air resistance increases the faster you cycle. At 5 kilometers per hour, only 10 percent of your power goes to air resistance. At 40 kilometers per hour, a full 80 percent of your power goes to overcoming air resistance.
Why is aerodynamics so important in cycling?
How to become a faster cyclist
Cyclists work hard to be as small and small as possible from the front. Much can be done by having an aerodynamic seating position. Tight-fitting and aerodynamic fabrics also help, as do aerodynamic equipment such as wheels.
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– Too generic
NRK’s cycling expert, Sondre Sørtveit, is also surprised by the adopted change.
NRK’s cycling expert, Sondre Sørtveit, is also surprised by the adopted change.NRK’s cycling expert, Sondre Sørtveit, is also surprised by the adopted change.NRK’s cycling expert, Sondre Sørtveit, is also surprised by the adopted change.
– It would be too generic to set such a rule with absolute goals. I agree that very narrow handlebars for taller riders can compromise handling and thus safety. But I think that a woman of 150-160cm should have the same requirements as a tall man is wrong, says Sørtveit.
On the opposite side is Marte Berg Edseth. She is Gåskjenn’s teammate and also part of the Uno-X team.
– It’s difficult to make so much criticism, because there has to be a limit somewhere. It may have gone a little too far in some teams, such as narrow handlebars and angled handles, says Edseth.
– It’s difficult to make so much criticism, because there has to be a limit somewhere. It may have gone a little too far in some teams, such as narrow handlebars and angled handles, says Edseth.– It’s difficult to make so much criticism, because there has to be a limit somewhere. It may have gone a little too far in some teams, such as narrow handlebars and angled handles, says Edseth.– It’s difficult to make so much criticism, because there has to be a limit somewhere. It may have gone a little too far in some teams, such as narrow handlebars and angled handles, says Edseth.
OLYMAL PARTICIPANTS: Marte Berg Edseth was one of two Norwegian women who rode the road race during the Paris Olympics.
But at the same time, she wishes there was a certain difference in the rule:
Of course, for small cyclists, 40 centimeters is quite wide compared to large men. It could perhaps be a modification for people who are smaller, she says.
Of course, for small cyclists, 40 centimeters is quite wide compared to large men. It could perhaps be a modification for people who are smaller, she says.Of course, for small cyclists, 40 centimeters is quite wide compared to large men. It could perhaps be a modification for people who are smaller, she says.Of course, for small cyclists, 40 centimeters is quite wide compared to large men. It could perhaps be a modification for people who are smaller, she says.
The new governing rules are far from the only new rules the association has introduced.
From next season it is not allowed to ride with the most aero off-road helmets, there has been a clearer regulation on the width of the bicycle forks, and also a limitation on the rim depth.
A goat collided with cyclist Dion Smith during the third stage of the Giro d’Italia. Photo by Max.
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A goat collided with cyclist Dion Smith during the third stage of the Giro d’Italia. Photo by Max.