Cycling: After their temporary banishment in the spring, disc brakes will make their comeback in the pro peloton in January 2017. The UCI informed the riders and teams on Friday that they are planning a new test period and are expressly asking for feedback from the peloton. New, rounded brake discs should also minimize the risk of injury.
Here's something new - after the somewhat hasty introduction of disc brakes among road professionals at the beginning of the 2016 season and the renewed ban only a few months later, the UCI will start a new test phase in January 2017. Yesterday the drivers received a letter from Technical Director Mark Barfield specifically asking for their help and feedback on the new braking system. According to corresponding media reports, it should also say that it is only “a test phase and by no means a gradual introduction”.
Cycling news: Comment: Why disc brakes deserve a second chance
Comment: It's the big topic of the last few days. After an incident at Paris – Roubaix in which Movistar professional Francisco Ventoso allegedly seriously injured himself on a brake disc, the UCI banned the new brakes, which were only permitted at the beginning of the year, from the peloton. Now, however, it is crucial that the dialogue around […]
After Paris – Roubaix last year, Movistar driver Francisco Ventoso published a report after a brake disc allegedly inflicted a deep cut on him. Even if this report was quite dubious, the UCI reacted immediately and banned disc brakes from the peloton - even after further protests from the paddock. According to the letter from Friday, they learned from the experiences of the past year and found a solution to the problem together with the industry and the drivers' union CPA. The new disc brakes will work with new brake discs with rounded edges to prevent cuts.
The 2017 road season kicks off on January 19th with the Tour Down Under in Australia. Then probably again with one or the other disc brake in the field. We are excited to see how the matter develops and how the drivers and teams react to it.
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