UCI's controversial new handlebar rules spark outrage after pro cyclist Filippo D'Aiuto is disqualified from a 60km solo win. Team claims 'illegal brake levers' were bent in crash, but UCI stands firm on safety concerns.
In a bizarre racing controversy, Italian pro cyclist Filippo D'Aiuto's triumph in the Polese Memorial race near Treviso was abruptly halted. Race officials measured his handlebars and deemed the distance between his brake levers too narrow, disqualifying him despite his 60km solo breakaway. The UCI's new rules mandate a minimum bar width of 400mm and a 280mm distance between brake hoods, sparking widespread criticism from riders and industry professionals.
D'Aiuto's team, General Store-Essegibi-F.lli Curia, insisted their Cervélo bike was compliant at the start, attributing the issue to a crash that bent a brake lever inwards. The team's statement emphasized the bike's regulation and the impact of the crash, which shifted the lever's position. Despite the disqualification, Lorenzo Magli was promoted to first place, but he and Davide Boscaro left the top step empty as a sign of respect to D'Aiuto.
D'Aiuto expressed frustration, questioning the judges' decision and suggesting a crash-induced lever twist. He criticized the UCI's suggestion to stop and adjust handlebars, citing the time constraints. Magli, the second-place rider, also boycotted the podium, calling D'Aiuto the real winner. The controversy highlights the impact of the UCI's rules on smaller riders and female cyclists, with a petition gathering over 7,000 signatures to appeal the regulations, arguing for equipment diversity and rider safety.
