Lotto-Soudal boss angry after UCI bans aerodynamic gel that riders rubbed on their legs at Critérium du Dauphiné
Marc Sergeant questions why gel is banned while Team Sky's skinsuits are not

Lotto-Soudal have reacted with anger and disappointment after the UCI took the decision to ban the so-called "Speed Gel" that riders had on their legs during the team time trial on stage three of the Critérium du Dauphiné.
At least four riders – Thomas De Gendt, Jelle Vanendert, Victor Campenaerts, and Jens Keukeleire – were spotted with small white dots on their legs during the 35km stage three, in which they finished third behind Team Sky and BMC Racing, with team staff explaining that it was a special gel designed to improve aerodynamics.
The UCI quickly launched an investigation into the gel, and have now banned it ahead of the Tour de France. According to the governing body's rules “it is forbidden to wear non-essential items of clothing or items designed to influence the performances of a rider such as reducing air resistance or modifying the body of the rider.”
Lotto-Soudal general manager Marc Sergeant said that he was disappointed with the UCI's decision, and brought up the example of Team Sky's skinsuits with their pimpled panels on the sleeves that caused significant controversy at last year's Tour de France but were approved by the UCI.
"I received a call from [UCI equipment manager] Jean-Christophe Péraud,” Sergeant told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab). "He told me that the gel is not allowed. They will investigate the matter and that the regulations – with the Tour just around the corner – will be changed in the coming weeks.
"I told Péraud that Sky still races with those skinsuits with strips on the shoulders and arms that reduce the air resistance at high speed.
"He should also tackle that, but Péraud believes that we should not put anything on the legs with the intention of riding faster. But my question is: are sunscreen and mud not allowed? Because they're not under the current regulations."
However despite being told that the gel will not be allowed, Sergeant said that his riders could defy the UCI and continue to use the gel if he does not receive a satisfactory answer as to why Team Sky's skinsuits are allowed but Lotto-Soudal's speed gel is not.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
'Shocked and saddened': Tour de France organiser sends condolences after Copenhagen shooting
Several people were killed in the Copenhagen mall shooting
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan • Published
-
Tour de France packs up for the long drive home
Race waves goodbye to Denmark and gets ready to move everything to Calais for race restart on Tuesday
By Simon Richardson • Published
-
'I’m still having to pinch myself a little bit, what a ride!' : Reinardt Janse van Rensburg’s journey to a sixth Tour de France
The 33 year old South African rider feared his career was over before Lotto Soudal came calling.
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Lotto Soudal pins Tour de France hopes on 'one of the fastest riders of the peloton', Caleb Ewan
Caleb Ewan, Philippe Gilbert, Andreas Kron and Tim Wellens all make the team's Tour de France lineup
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Racing every race like it's the last of the season: how smaller teams are overperforming this year
Lotto-Soudal and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux have won 11 races between them in 2022 after just 21 in all of last year, so what's going on?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Meet Florian Vermeersch, the history student and local councillor who finished second at Paris-Roubaix
The Lotto Soudal rider on living up to new expectations, the new approach of his team, and how time trialling helps in the Classics
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Paris-Roubaix runner-up Florian Vermeersch posts incredible ride to Strava
The 22-year-old Belgian put in an astonishing ride on his 'Hell of the North' debut
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
Caleb Ewan out of Tour de France 2021 with collarbone fracture
The Australian crashed in the final stretch of stage three, bringing down Peter Sagan with him
By Richard Windsor • Published
-
Lotto-Soudal rider sent off course as he led solo in final kilometre at Ronde van Limburg
Brent Van Moer looked in with a chance of taking his first pro victory before he as sent off course
By Richard Windsor • Published
-
Lotto-Soudal down to just two riders at the Giro d'Italia 2021 after Thomas De Gendt abandons
The team have struggled with injuries since Caleb Ewan left the race
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published