Racing events at the Rwanda Road World Championships will now be monitored by the use of GPS tracking systems, as officially confirmed by the University of California (UCI).
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has announced the introduction of a GPS rider tracking system at the upcoming Road World Championships in Rwanda, taking place from September 21-28. This innovative safety device, developed in collaboration with the UCI, SafeR, and other stakeholders, aims to enhance the safety of professional road cycling.
The system will be in place in all road races, individual time trials, and team time trials in both men's and women's pelotons at the elite, under-23, and junior levels of racing. The rider's exact position will be transmitted to relevant parties in the convoy, including organizers, UCI Commissaires, medical, and security services.
The system is designed to help locate riders if they crash and are not seen by race officials. It will also allow for immediate identification of any unusual situations, such as a rider suddenly stopping on the course. This feature is expected to significantly improve response times in case of an incident or accident.
The implementation of the GPS tracking system is a response to the tragic death of Muriel Furrer at the 2024 World Championships in Switzerland, where she crashed into trees and was not seen by race officials or medical services. The UCI President, David Lappartient, has stated that the system is important and necessary progress in the UCI's constant efforts to improve the safety of riders.
Lappartient praised the introduction of the system and thanked those who contributed to its development. He also mentioned that the system will allow for any incident or accident to be quickly identified, and the person concerned can be assisted as quickly as possible.
The races at the Road World Championships in Rwanda are managed by the UCI and will be contested by national federations rather than professional teams. The National Federations will inaugurate the new safety device during the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali.
The organization involved alongside the UCI in developing the new safety GPS system for cycling races is the French defense company Dassault Aviation. The UCI previously tested the system at the Tour de Romandie Feminin in August, but five teams were disqualified on the first day of racing due to a dispute over the GPS devices. However, the implementation of the system in Rwanda is expected to go ahead without any similar disputes.
For those eager to follow the first-ever UCI Road World Championships on African soil, subscription to Cyclingnews provides unlimited access to comprehensive coverage of the event. As the peloton races through the scenic landscapes of Rwanda, the GPS tracking system will enable real-time monitoring of the entire peloton's position and speed, ensuring a safer and more exciting race for all involved.
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