The sport of competitive road cycling has a distinct set of rules to keep riders and spectators safe. These rules also ensure that all competitors participate on an even playing field, as they prevent anyone from gaining an unfair advantage. You will see the rules in effect every time you watch a road race on television or in person.
Conduct
During the race, riders cannot throw anything into the roadway, as this could hinder the efforts of other riders. This includes disposing of food, bottles, bags or clothing. To dispose of any waste or unneeded clothing, riders must head to the side of the road and do so in a safe manner. Riders cannot carry any glass objects while racing.
Distances
Organizers must limit how far a racer can travel per day, as riding for too long can bring danger. For one-day events during the Olympic Games and world championships, men in the elite division can ride between 250 and 280 km, while elite women can ride between 120 and 140 km. For regional, continental and junior championships, that number decreases. During time trials at the Olympics and world championships, men can only ride 40 to 50 km and women between 20 and 30 km. In races with multiple stages, men average about 180 km per day, with a maximum of 240 km a day. Women average about 100 km per day and max out at 130 km a day.
Uniforms
All racers must wear a jersey that covers the shoulders. They must also wear clean and neat clothing and shoes. Riders cannot wear any clothing that looks worn or discolored. Every competitor must wear an approved helmet and cannot make any modifications. Riders cannot wear any nonessential items that will increase their speed during an event.
Prohibited Substances
Cycling follows the World Anti-Doping Agency's list of prohibited substances. This list includes anabolic agents, human growth hormones, beta-2 agonists, diuretics and masking agents. Testing can occur in or out of competition, as long as the rider holds a racing license. The length of suspension depends on the individual incident, as the organizing body will conduct a hearing to decide a rider's fate.
References
- Union Cycliste Internationale; UCI Cycling Regulations: Part 2: Road Races; January 2011
- Cycling Australia; Technical Regulations; 2010
- Union Cycliste Internationale; UCI Cycling Regulations: Part 1: General Organization of Cycling as a Sport; January 2011
- World Anti-Doping Agency; The World Anti-Doping Code: The 2011 Prohibited List; September 2010
- Union Cycliste Internationale; UCI Cycling Regulations: Part 14: Anti-Doping; January 2011
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