UCI bans Tour de France motorhomes, much to Chris Froome's displeasure
Chris Froome and all other riders will have to put up with dodgy hotel rooms at the Tour de France as the UCI rule out the use of motorhomes
Good news if you're in the market for a new motorhome - Team Sky may be about to put theirs on the market after the UCI banned any teams from using anything other than the hotels provided.
Richie Porte had been the guinea pig for the spacious and luxurious campervan at the Giro d'Italia, as Sky rolled out their latest 'marginal gain'. The team said they were ensuring their team leader wasn't left shacked up in a dodgy hotel room like his rivals.
But the UCI was having none of it. Buried deep in a press release issued late on Friday evening, cycling's governing body said Chris Froome and co must slum it like their domestiques.
Article 2.2.010 of the UCI Regulations now reads: “In all road stage races on the international calendar, the organisers must cover the subsistence expenses of the teams from the night before the start to the final day; riders must stay in the hotels provided by the organiser throughout the entire duration of the race”.
And the UCI insist: “The decision was made in order to reaffirm absolute fairness between all riders. The amended article comes into force immediately.”
>>> Chris Froome considering staying in motorhome during Tour de France
With the cost of housing the hundreds of riders and staff that come with the modern-day Tour de France funding is probably a bit tight for the ASO, pretty much ruling out the 5* pads Premier League footballers would find themselves in before a game.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The decision didn't go down well with Froome, while Twitter was its usual excellent self in deriding the new ruling.
>>> Comment: Why Richie Porte’s motorhome is bound to catch on
The ruling will also affect Alberto Contador if the he ever rides another Giro d'Italia. The Spaniard enjoyed a night at team owner Oleg Tinkov's luxury villa on one night of this year's race.
Tinkov's may as well put the 'For Sale' sign up now.
Cycling Weekly checks out the Tour de France contenders
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Is your bike the noisest in the bunch? 13 steps to a silent ride
A quiet bike is a joy to ride, so here's how to banish unwanted noises - what to check for, how to fix it and why you shouldn't ignore what your bike is telling you
By Tim Russon Published
-
Cycplus Tiny E-Pump AS2 Review - an electric alternative to CO2
Small enough to fit in your pockets, it inflates to 100psi with a 200-second usage per charge
By Paul Grele Published
-
The art of peaking with Geraint Thomas: 'It’s easy to take for granted that 9 times out of 10 I hit my goals'
The Welshman also calls for better governance in the sport to help it grow further
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers’ 500th victory was claimed by a woman; why do they still not have a team?
The British squad is one of the richest in cycling - but Ineos still won’t stump up for a women’s team
By Adam Becket Published
-
'This is so much more than a number': Six of the best Ineos Grenadiers wins as team claims 500th race victory
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot took the 500th team win at the weekend
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'wouldn’t be surprised' to see attacks before the Poggio at Milan-San Remo
British rider will lead the line for Ineos Grenadiers alongside Filippo Ganna
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'All the conditions are met, then it's questioned again' - Visma-Lease a Bike bemoan UCI review after 'a lot of money' spent on development of Giro helmet
Team reacts to governing body statement on Tuesday, day after new helmet was debuted
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
The UCI is banning time trial helmet optimisations - one day after Giro lid broke cover
The 'head sock' is out, with more helmets to be reviewed - whilst hookless rim investigation is still ongoing
By Adam Becket Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers delighted with Egan Bernal’s late cameo on stage one of Paris-Nice
Colombian snapped up key bonus seconds in the general classification battle on run in to Les Mureaux
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It doesn’t change anything’ - Tom Pidcock’s coach on Tadej Pogačar at Strade Bianche
Kurt Bogaerts says the pressure is off for Pidcock as he looks to defend the title he emphatically won last year
By Tom Thewlis Published