UCI to mandate GPS tracking for professional cyclists

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) plans to mandate GPS tracking for all professional riders during major races to improve safety and emergency response. This decision follows several high-profile tragedies in the sport, including the death of 18-year-old Muriel Furrer, who remained undiscovered for over an hour following a crash during the World Championships in Zurich, and the recent death of 19-year-old Finlay Tarling during a race in Portugal.

While the implementation of real-time tracking is intended to trigger immediate rescue chains, the move has sparked tension between the UCI and professional teams. Team leaders, such as Ronny Lauke of Canyon-Sram, argue that while trackers are useful, they do not address the fundamental issue of course safety. Additionally, organizers have raised concerns regarding whether the UCI will impose a specific proprietary system or simply set the regulatory framework, allowing organizers to choose their own providers.