Five teams facing suspension during Tour de Romandie race
In a surprising turn of events at the 2025 Tour de Romandie Féminin, five cycling teams, including Canyon-SRAM and rider Katarzyna Niewiadoma, have protested against the UCI for imposing a new GPS safety tracking system unilaterally. The teams, which also include Movistar Team, Team DSM, and Trek-Segafredo, objected to the UCI's approach, stating a lack of collaboration and concern about liability and data control.
The UCI, the cycling world governing body, introduced the tracker to provide real-time data for race control and medical teams, aiming to improve rapid response to incidents after tragic crashes in recent years. However, the disagreement is not about the technology itself but about who manages it and how it is implemented.
The teams had previously expressed their concerns to the UCI and showed their willingness to cooperate. They argued that the new system should be tested on more than one rider per team, citing the existence of another functioning system for the entire peloton. They also demanded the right to control what devices are mounted on their riders' bikes, refusing to handle the installation, removal, charging, or management of the devices.
Despite these concerns, the UCI insisted on the implementation of the new system. As a result, the five teams were disqualified from the race because they refused to name riders to carry the GPS devices, rather than outright refusing the devices themselves. The teams, including Canyon-SRAM with Niewiadoma, a favorite for the overall win in 2024, called the UCI’s approach a “lack of respect” and demanded a more collaborative discussion about how to improve rider safety and implement technology.
Each team will have one rider equipped with a GPS tracker, weighing 63 grams. The UCI's statement did not address the teams' concerns about the limited testing of the GPS system. The teams find the decision to still disqualify them shocking and believe it disregards their rights.
As a result, 30 out of the 93 registered riders will not be starting the race. The dispute is centered around the Tour de Romandie Feminine, but it has wider implications for the relationship between the UCI and several WorldTour races. The cycling world is now waiting for a resolution that addresses the teams' concerns and ensures a safer and more collaborative future for the sport.
[1] Team Statement on GPS Tracking Dispute [2] UCI Response to Team Protest [3] GPS Tracking Technology Explained [4] Interview with Katarzyna Niewiadoma [5] UCI's Vision for GPS Tracking in Cycling
- Despite the implementation of the new GPS tracking system in the Tour de Romandie Féminin, there is disagreement between the UCI and several teams, such as Canyon-SRAM, Movistar Team, Team DSM, Trek-Segafredo, and others, over the control and implementation of the technology.
- The ongoing dispute between the UCI and several cycling teams revolves around the management of the new GPS tracking system, with teams demanding the right to control what devices are mounted on their riders' bikes and objecting to the UCI's unilateral approach, potentially leading to a more collaborative and safer future for the sport.
