Riders' clothing checked at women's Tour over bra padding concerns
Tour de France Femmes officials have begun inspecting riders' clothing to ensure compliance with aerodynamic regulations. Concerns were raised that some cyclists were using bra padding as 'body fairings' to gain an unfair speed advantage.
Why it matters
This highlights the extreme lengths athletes go to for marginal gains and the ongoing challenge for governing bodies to regulate technological doping in sports.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Riders are thought to gain an advantage using 'body fairings'
Riders at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift have had their clothing checked to prevent attempts to make "aerodynamic gains".
Issues have reportedly been raised about padding in bras that could result in riders gaining one second per kilometre.
Race organiser ASO issued a statement following Dutch media reports of concerns some riders had used bra padding as aerodynamic fairings to improve efficiency.
Other items have also been known to be inserted into a skinsuit around the chest area to smooth airflow around the body.
"Riders must be to the final checks before the race (bikes and outfit) no later than 10 minutes before their respective start time," the statement said.
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