UCI appoints technical advisor for equipment commission

The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced on their website that they have appointed Dimitris Katsanis as a technical advisor for the UCI Equipment Commission. Katsanis, an engineer and sports scientist, has years of experience in the field. He has worked as a bike designer and has been an equipment consultant to national federations, professional teams and manufacturers.

The UCI has hired Katsanis in an effort to modernize their current technical rules surrounding equipment. Manufacturers and athletes seem to be in a constant struggle with UCI regulations regarding equipment as all the groups try to balance safety, technical innovation and performance enhancement.

Newly elected UCI president Brian Cookson is adamant that they can strike the perfect balance that doesn’t hinder technical innovation and also ensures safety and fairness. “We absolutely must ensure fair and safe competition, but our regulations should not be rigid to the point of not allowing any technological development. It is a fine line and we are determined to get it right,” said Cookson in a UCI release.

The UCI equipment commission is set to be appointed at the UCI’s next major meeting in Hooderheide, Netherlands on Jan. 31.