UCI makes U-turn on team race radio ban
Teams will be allowed to use in-ear two-way communication in more top-level races in the 2016 season
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Cycling's governing body backed down on its stance against race radios. Going ahead in the 2016 season, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will not only allow two-way communication between riders and teams in WorldTour events, but also in .1 and .HC category events.
The decision was made by UCI during a meeting at the Road World Championships in Richmond, USA, this week.
The UCI confirmed the rule change on Friday (September 25) as part of its announcements regarding changes that will revamp WorldTour teams and rankings. The following rule changes will come into effect in 2016, which also includes a relaxation on the use of on-bike cameras:
Article 2.2.024 will allow the use of radio links or other remote means of communication between riders and their teams in the UCI WorldTour, class HC and class 1 events for Elite Men; UCI Women’s WorldTour and class 1 World Cup events for Elite Women; and time trial events.
Article 1.3.024 will authorise the use of onboard cameras without the need for teams and organisers to request permission from the UCI.
Instead of only in top stage races like the Tour de France or classics like Paris-Roubaix, cyclists and teams in 2016 will be able to use two-way radios in races such as the Tour of Britain, the Tour of California, or the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
The change essentially opens up radios to all events but .2 races and ends the long-running battle that the teams and riders had with the governing body.
The changes should apply to women's races as well. Under the current rules, the UCI only permits two-way radios in World Cup events.
>>> Jens Voigt writes open letter on race radio issue (2011)
The UCI blocked radios in all but WorldTour and women's World Cup events in 2011. They had tried to do so before but with limited success. At the 2009 Tour de France, after a trial run in a stage, team's protested. They also threatened to boycott the 2011 Tour of Beijing over the issue.
Watch: Five sexiest superbikes of 2016
Those in favour of two-way radios argue that it provides better safety and helps modernise a sport that is often racing behind. Critics say that it makes racing stale and predictable, allowing the group to time its catch of the escape just in time for the finish.
Either way, radios are back for 2016.
Thank you for reading 10 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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
'It's the ultimate drop bar bike' - Mosaic Cycles introduces new RT-1 model
Mosaic, the builders of custom titanium dream bikes, today unveiled a "sleeker, more capable" version of its flagship road racer, the RT-1
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Cannondale Topstone loses 160g with new Lab71 edition
American bike brand gives its flagship gravel bike the high-end carbon treatment
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Team bosses underwhelmed by 'symbolic' UCI rider development fee plan
The new rule will see development teams earn €2,000 a season once a rider signs to the WorldTour
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Russian team takes UCI to court over ban
Banned team Gazprom-RusVelo awaits verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
CW Live: Olympic champion joins Women's WorldTour; Tom Pidcock tips Van Aert for Cyclo-cross Worlds; Arkéa-Samsic boss 'very interested' in Julian Alaphilippe; Deadline for 2024 Olympics tickets; LEJOG record holder back cycling after hit-and-run
A round-up of all the latest cycling news
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
UCI revises points system to give more weighting to Grand Tours and Monuments
Cycling's governing body publishes major changes to its points scale for the coming three-year cycle
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
UCI boosts anti-doping funding by 35%
Financial backing of anti-doping programme to rise by 35 percent over the next two years
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Opinion: The UCI is failing on climate change that's why vague promises are all it can offer
A promising start from the world governing body, although pledges still feel a little weak
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Glasgow needs you: UCI World Championships seek volunteers for 2023
The event, scheduled for August 2023, will be the largest cycling world championships in history.
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
UCI tightens Covid-19 rules ahead of Tour de France
UCI President David Lappartient said stricter measures are necessary for cycling events to run successfully
By Ryan Dabbs • Published