Officials only 'reporting' on new tech rule

By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor in Modesto, California

The newly modified UCI technical rule regarding aerodynamics of bicycles and components that looked to be severely affecting teams at the all-important Tour of California time trial on Friday appears to be on hold, with the UCI commissaires only 'reporting' their findings back to Switzerland.

As Cyclingnews first reported on Monday, the change to the rule that took effect on the first of the year mandates that the ratio of the length and width of equipment, such as aero bars, shall be no more than 3:1. This would disqualify the bars of most teams as the 'aerofoil' design of most base bars exceeds the 3:1 ratio.

However, the chief commissaire at the race told Cyclingnews before the start of stage 3 on Tuesday that the commissaires would be running Friday's time trial in the same fashion as the previous Saturday's prologue – that they would only be filing a report back to the UCI in Switzerland. UCI president Pat McQuaid arrived in California on Tuesday evening and is expected to explain details of the rule modification after the fourth stage.