USA Cycling press release on aero equipment rules

April 9, 2010

Following a recent notice from the UCI, the sport’s international governing body, USA Cycling will be able to adopt a “tolerant” attitude towards bicycle compliance in 2010 for all races below 1.1 or 2.1 and especially in junior, women and masters events. This would include the 1.2 and 2.2 races on the UCI calendar as well as USA Cycling National Racing Calendar events. Therefore USA Cycling will not be enforcing the more strict version of the 3/1 rule (UCI 1.3.024) or the 8 cm rule (UCI 1.3.020) in races of 1.2 or 2.2 or below, similar to the recent decision regarding bicycles at Masters National Championships. Simply stated, if a bicycle was legal in 2009, it will be considered legal in 2010 in all races below 1.1 or 2.1.

The same interpretation of the rules that were applied in 2009 will be relevant in 2010. Bicycle weight, wheel regulations and distance measurements (5 cm seat back, 75 cm handlebar extensions) will be enforced in all races run under UCI rules, including national championship and NRC events. However, a more lenient interpretation of UCI rule 1.3.020 (8 cm height rule) and UCI rule 1.3.024 (3/1 aspect ratio) will be used for 2010. The recently publicized rule, commonly known as the eight cm height rule, which led to questions about the Specialized Transition and Specialized Shiv will not be enforced at races below 1.1 or 2.1 in 2010. Also, the strict application of UCI rule 1.3.024 (3/1 aspect ratio) will not be applied to components at those events this year. Therefore, a bicycle that was legal in 2009 is legal in 2010. All other UCI bicycle rules (weight, wheel type, rider position) will remain in effect as they were in 2009.

All equipment used in time trial events in UCI races must however be compliant with all UCI regulations beginning January 1, 2011. USA Cycling is monitoring the rule changes made at the international level and will continue to consider how these rule changes affect cyclists in the USA.

For questions regarding rules and regulations please visit the Rule Books and Manuals portion of the USA Cycling website.

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