{"id":256029,"date":"2026-08-03T20:59:21","date_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:59:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/03\/extra-clothing-checks-at-tour-de-france-femmes-after-reports-riders-may-be-padding-bras-for-aero-gains\/"},"modified":"2026-08-03T20:59:21","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T20:59:21","slug":"extra-clothing-checks-at-tour-de-france-femmes-after-reports-riders-may-be-padding-bras-for-aero-gains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/03\/extra-clothing-checks-at-tour-de-france-femmes-after-reports-riders-may-be-padding-bras-for-aero-gains\/","title":{"rendered":"Extra clothing checks at Tour de France Femmes after reports riders may be padding bras for aero gains"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-26192ffc-8f7b-11f1-a223-7bdc26b94eb5\">Riders at the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france-femmes\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france-femmes\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/tour-de-france-femmes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tour de France Femmes <\/a>can expect more detailed clothing checks before <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-france-femmes-2026-stage-4-preview\/\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-france-femmes-2026-stage-4-preview\/\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/tour-de-france-femmes-2026-stage-4-preview\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stage 4&#8217;s time trial<\/a> after reports that riders may be using additional padding in their bras to gain an aero advantage after the UCI issued a special warning about items &#8220;which could modify riders\u2019 morphology&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.wielerflits.nl\/nieuws\/jury-tour-de-france-femmes-opgelet-wielrensters-misbruiken-hun-cupmaat\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.wielerflits.nl\/nieuws\/jury-tour-de-france-femmes-opgelet-wielrensters-misbruiken-hun-cupmaat\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Wielerflits <\/em>published a story on Sunday about this potential issue<\/a>, noting that riders have sometimes appeared to have a larger chest size during time trials compared to road races, and reporting that several WorldTour teams have voiced their concerns over riders&#8217; artificially changing their breast size using padding during races.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-article-category=\"pro-cycling\" data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-26192ffc-8f7b-11f1-a223-7bdc26b94eb5-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">An increased volume in the chest area can have significant aerodynamic gains, as it redirects the airflow around the body, for both men and women.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel=\"\" data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\\\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\\\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header=\"\">\n<p><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"\/><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Chest fairings, which are essentially items put down the front of the jersey to change the shape of the chest, have been found to be effective in saving watts and therefore time, particularly in aero positions for cyclists and triathletes, and have been banned by several governing bodies, including in cycling.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Lidl-Trek&#8217;s head of technical and innovation told <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7488888\/2026\/08\/03\/tour-de-france-femmes-stage-3-briefing\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/athletic\/7488888\/2026\/08\/03\/tour-de-france-femmes-stage-3-briefing\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>The Athletic<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>that his team have tested different kinds of bras and found some more padded bras to have benefits, but did say that it&#8217;s not something the team have actually used in racing.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Under articles 1.3.032 and 1.3.033 of the UCI rules, riders may not use any objects to artificially change their morphology, and any kind of fairings or textured fabrics are banned.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">At the 2025 World Championships in Rwanda, riders from Belgium had their radio pockets on their chest rather than their back, with no penalties, and riders have sometimes ridden with bottles down the front of their jersey, though the UCI has tried to police that.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QYhhkztzA55cq4hoDBZSn8\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-QYhhkztzA55cq4hoDBZSn8 slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For male riders, the policing of chest fairing use is relatively easy, but it becomes complicated for women, who all have different sized breasts and use all different kinds of sports bras during races.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Some riders have opted to race without a sports bra \u2013 that often minimises and compresses the breasts \u2013 for aero gains, but <em>Wielerflits <\/em>reports that some riders are doing the opposite, using padding in their bras to increase their breast size or alter their chest shape in a way that is difficult to police or detect.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, since <em>Wielerflits&#8217; <\/em>story caused a stir in the paddock, the UCI jury did something unusual on Monday evening and added an extra warning to the Tour de France Femmes communiqu\u00e9 ahead of the stage 4 time trial.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\">\n        <span class=\"&#10;            flex&#10;            after:content-[''] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            before:content-[''] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]&#10;            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold&#10;        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Riders must be to the final checks before the race (bikes and outfit) no later than 10 minutes before their respective start time,&#8221; the communique reads, which is normal, but then it goes on to say: &#8220;Particular attention will be paid to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, including nonessential elements and clothing or other items\/accessories worn by a rider (including but not limited to helmets, glasses, shoes or in-race communication devices) which could modify riders\u2019 morphology.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s not often a warning like this is specifically given before a time trial.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The question, though, is how will these checks take place without being invasive? According to <em>Wielerflits, <\/em>some teams have suggested that riders could be checked in a private tent by a female jury member to ensure there is no padding or extra material in their sports bra or clothing, but even this likely feels invasive to some.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">What&#8217;s more, the rule is a likely grey area, with no defined amount of padding or support a bra may or may not have, with different women having different needs and preferences.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">However, with the UCI sharing the special warning on Monday, it suggests that they will be attempting to carry out extra checks on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-2619313c-8f7b-11f1-a281-b7889a60fc8f\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>Support our unrivalled coverage of the Tour de France Femmes and women&#8217;s cycling by subscribing to Cyclingnews. In return, you get unlimited access to high-quality journalism, with breaking news, race analysis, and expert insight from inside the women&#8217;s peloton. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! <\/strong><\/em><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDFF26\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDFF26\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/subscription-paid\/?utm_source=Referral+link&amp;utm_medium=Website&amp;utm_campaign=PreTDFF26\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><em><strong>Join today.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/womens-cycling\/extra-clothing-checks-at-tour-de-france-femmes-after-reports-riders-may-be-padding-bras-for-aero-gains\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Riders at the Tour de France Femmes can expect more detailed clothing checks before stage 4&#8217;s time trial after reports that riders may be using additional padding in their bras to gain an aero advantage after the UCI issued a special warning about items &#8220;which could modify riders\u2019 morphology&#8221;. Wielerflits published a story on Sunday [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":256030,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6804],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-256029","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cycling"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256029","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256029"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256029\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/256030"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256029"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=256029"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=256029"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}