At the upcoming Cycling Time Trials (CTT) National Council meeting on January 26, a series of proposals are set to address concerns over road bike specifications, sparked by controversies during last year’s UK road bike time trial championships.
The 2023 championships saw delays in the crowning of George Fox as the winner of the 22.4-mile time trial near Peterborough. After his victory, which saw him finish 41 seconds ahead of runner-up Alex Dowsett, a fellow competitor lodged a complaint about Fox’s bike setup and riding position. The dispute led to a seven-week review, before the CTT upheld Fox’s result.
This incident prompted discussions about potential rule clarifications for future time trials. As a result, the forthcoming AGM is expected to introduce clearer regulations, particularly concerning the growing “drop-bar” category.
Among the most significant proposed changes are adjustments put forward by the CTT’s Rules Advisory Group (RAG), which is supported by the CTT board. While these proposals do not fundamentally alter the core specifications for road bikes, they aim to reduce ambiguity in the interpretation of the rules—a key issue in last year’s controversy.
One notable change suggests that only three points of support should be permitted during a time trial: the saddle, the pedals, and the hands on the handlebars. This would eliminate the controversial position used by Fox and others, where they supported their forearms on the handlebars in addition to their hands. The new guidelines would also ban the practice of mounting bidons (water bottles) behind the saddle, a technique often used for aerodynamic benefit.
In addition, the RAG proposals seek to restrict the use of bidons on all types of machines, not just road bikes. They also propose limiting the use of hydration bladders in events shorter than 30 miles, to prevent them from being used as aerodynamic fairings. A further suggestion is to ban padding inside skinsuits for the same aerodynamic reasons.
The Scottish and North-East Districts have also proposed changes aimed at increasing participation in time trial events. Currently, entries are limited to 10-13 days before race day, but the districts are pushing for a more flexible entry window, which they believe could encourage more riders to join open events.
Although there is a possibility that not all proposals will pass, the CTT is keen to build on the growing popularity of road bike time trials, which have seen a resurgence following a sharp decline in participation after the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CTT’s National Report for 2024, road bike entries continue to attract new competitors across various age groups. It is widely expected that most of the proposed rule changes will be approved, with many seen as necessary steps for the continued development of the sport.
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