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.
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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.
-
My friend had warm urine squirted in his ear on the Alpe d’Huez - and it impresses people more than my national titles
When it comes to impressing people with his cycling exploits, Cycling Weekly's columnist finds that anecdotes trump achievements every time
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
‘This year it was not hard enough to be a climber’s race’ - Tadej Pogačar leaves everything on the road at Milano-Sanremo
The five-time Monument winner goes one better than last year with a third place at La Classicissima
By Joseph Lycett 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
-
Ineos Grenadiers say they will work with British Cycling to get Tour of Britain back on ‘as quickly as possible’
Ben Swift and Owain Doull both say it would be a "shame" were the Tour of Britain to be no more
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘We're now the hunter, not the hunted’ - New Ineos Grenadiers CEO commits to reclaiming top spot amongst WorldTour elite
John Allert outlines team’s targets and ambitions for 2024, including regaining Grand Tour dominance of old
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
A complete history of Ineos Grenadiers kits, from Adidas to Gobik, via Rapha
The British team switch to Gobik in 2024 after two years with Bioracer
By Tom Thewlis Published