Cyclists taking part in French sportives, including L’Etape du Tour, hugely popular among British riders, will not be able to do so on bikes equipped with disc brakes after the French cycling federation (FFC) decided to ban them.
The decision follows the UCI’s suspension of a trial of disc brakes after the Movistar rider Fran Ventoso claimed to have been badly cut by one in a crash at Paris-Roubaix. It should be pointed out that there is no conclusive proof a disc brake did indeed cause the injury.
The Spanish rider said that disc brakes, trialled at top level races since last autumn, should never have been allowed in the pro peloton, but he added that he did support their use in cyclo-cross races and by amateurs taking part in sportives.
> Fran Ventoso: Disc brakes should never have been allowed in peloton
The FFC, it seems, does not agree with that latter point, saying in a statement published on its website:
Following the decision of the UCI of 14 April 2016, the Federal Bureau decided at its meeting on 14 April 2016 to forbid the use of disc brakes on all road events organised under the umbrella of the FFC.
Besides L’Etape du Tour, which this year takes place from Megeve to Morzine on Sunday July 10, mirroring the route of Stage 20 of the Tour de France, other events affected include the Ariegoise.
Organisers of that Pyrenean cyclcosportive have reiterated the ban on disc brakes on their website, saying: “The Executive Office of L’Ariégeoise Cyclosportive will not allow the participation in his event at the cyclists equipped with disc brakes.”
> Have disc brakes really led to injuries in peloton?
Be good if we could stop his type from breeding, I doubt he will strengthen the gene pool much.
Totally agree with you. If a driver sits behind me for a long time because it's not safe to pass or a look over my shoulder is enough to make a...
Think of a number, the list price, and double it?
This makes some sense as the parent will spend a huge amount of time carrying the thing....
*not Lancs, obviously Lord be praised! Perhaps the message is getting through
Just because he shares a program with a dinosaur doesn't necessarily mean he's one too...
"but they call it Artex" Isn't that what people used to paint their ceilings with?
Clearly not "Europe" now anyway!
Where are the colours though? Even the other options are just mehhh. At least you wouldn't need to worry about them getting washed out.
All that is being requested of drivers is they put their phones away before operating dangerous equipment in public spaces. Yes, that means...