Cycling: As the drivers' union CPA announced in a press release on Monday evening, the legal department has now been commissioned to give emphasis to the demands made by the UCI on the subject of disc brakes. One sees oneself forced to take this step because the UCI has ignored previous wishes and demands.
The controversy over disc brakes in the pro peloton is now threatening to finally escalate. After the UCI restarted the test phase at the beginning of the season, not only the CPA, but also individual drivers repeatedly expressed their safety concerns about the new braking system. Sky pro Ouwain Doull even claimed last week that a brake disc cut his shoe in a fall and caused him abrasions. Since the CPA seems to have fallen on deaf ears with its criticism and concerns at the UCI, its legal department has now been called into action and will contact the UCI on the subject.
Product news: "Like a knife": Another injury from the brake disc at the Abu Dhabi Tour?
Cycling: Sky professional Owain Doull was one of the riders who fell in the mass crash of the opening stage in Abu Dhabi. After crossing the finish line, the Briton posted photos on Twitter showing his cut cycling shoe – the 23-year-old also suffered a few small cuts on his foot. He himself has already identified the culprit: Marcel Kittel's brake disc. How nice […]
Specifically, the UCI is accused of not having sufficiently tested the new brakes and possible dangers. "[...] the legal department of the CPA therefore sees the UCI as responsible [...] for any damage, injuries and accidents that arise as a result." it says, among other things, in the letter. The UCI violates basic labor law because they have not taken all necessary and possible precautions to protect their employees, in this case the drivers, from danger. “We really tried everything to establish a dialogue through the technical commission. Now we feel compelled to raise our voice so that we will be heard." says Gianni Bugno, President of the CPA.
The CPA continues to request that the UCI comply with all end-of-season demands related to the introduction of disc brakes:
- Rounded edges of the brake disc (fulfilled since 2017)
- Protective covers over the discs
- Either all bikes in the peloton have discs, or none
As before, they try to emphasize that they are not fundamentally against the introduction of disc brakes, just against them "the non-observance of safety measures, which a large proportion of drivers demand."
As they say? Sequel follows…
Happy_cyclist says
Everywhere in the sports world people talk about the professional cyclists, the tough dogs, the pain-free fighters who complete entire tours even with a broken collarbone, who sprint for victory with tattered jerseys after brutal falls, who wave bloodied at the cameras ... but fear disc brakes they like the devil the holy water... why one wonders... I don't understand. Just because a few people say, "I don't need this," an entire profession can't refuse to progress...
Italorider says
What a monkey business. It's getting really, really embarrassing for everyone involved... nobody's covering themselves with fame.