UCI suspends the use of disc brakes in professional road racing
Following a gruesome injury to Movistar’s Fran Ventoso in Paris-Roubaix and a consequential call to action from the Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels (AIGCP), which represents all professional cycling teams, the UCI suspended use of disc brakes in the professional cycling on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, the Spaniard penned an open letter (scroll down for English) that blasted the use of disc brakes in the peloton, likening the discs to “giant knives”. Photos of the wounds were released as well.
Open letter by Ventoso regarding disc brakes: "WE'VE GOT THE POWER TO CHOOSE" https://t.co/AzNgej5gQl pic.twitter.com/vyBHYGYraa
— Laura Meseguer (@Laura_Meseguer) April 13, 2016
Only two teams, Lampre and Direct Energie, used discs in Paris-Roubaix.
At the AIGCP and the Association of Professional Cyclists’ (CPA) urging, the UCI suspended the adoption of discs, which began as a limited introduction in August of last year. Announcing the move on its website, cycling’s governing body said that “rider security has always been and will always remain its absolute priority.”
In the Twitterverse before and after the decision, pros have been weighing in.
Disc brakes can be good but not in a bunch of 200 riders. At least need to be shielded! https://t.co/z0NaKY0kTE
— Manuel Quinziato (@manuelquinziato) April 12, 2016
We haven't really figured out weather protocol yet and we're facing another threat #discBrakes
— Leopold König (@LeopoldKonig) April 12, 2016
Only 16 of 200 riders used disc brakes at roubaix! Cover up the disc ore leave it! Heal up quick @franventoso https://t.co/6UT6bnjWHj
— Gregory Rast (@gregory_rast) April 13, 2016
Regards disc brakes. They work better than rim brakes. A lot better. However, their application in 200 rider peloton needs more work.
— Jonathan Vaughters (@Vaughters) April 13, 2016
According to British site Cycling Weekly, Shimano and Campagnolo have been distancing their companies from Ventoso’s injury.
Dutch Pro Continental squad Roompot-Oranje Peloton is scrambling to install rim brakes on its machines before Sunday’s Amstel Gold Race. Roompot has been running discs all season.
