The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced today that it will go forward with disciplinary proceedings against the American RadioShack team for breaching the regulations governing riders’ clothing during the final stage of the Tour de France.
In a statement by the governing body it explained that it "regrets that an initiative for a cause as worthy as the fight against cancer was not coordinated beforehand with the Commissaires and organisers of the event". The appropriate path would be to have been to clear the switch prior to the stage, which the UCI said can be done whilst remaining withing the rules.
It continued that RadioShack's incorrect behavior led to a 20-minute delay of cycling's marquee event, which risked a disruption in the televised coverage of the race. That reality will now see the Commissaires impose a fine on each individual rider as well as the team managers. Had the coverage been cut in countries due to the delay, it would have been a lost opportunity for the other teams in the Tour to show off their successes in the world's biggest bike race, undermining for many sponsors, the point of sponsoring a cycling team.
The statement continued: "Team RadioShack subsequently breached the regulations by wearing an incorrect uniform on the podium for the protocol ceremony having been instructed not to."
RadioShack manager Johan Bruyneel confronted the officials, with the UCI describing the exchange as having "gravely offended" those involved. Bruyneel later used Twitter to further comment on the situation.
"Ok people! Now it's official! To be a race commisar, you don't need brains but only know the rules! Their motto: "c'est le reglement!," Bruyneel said using the online service.
Bruyneel will now have to answer to his comments before the UCI Disciplinary Commission.
The UCI has made the decision to donate any fines levied as a result of this matter to the ligue suisse contre le cancer.