UCI to resume disc brake trial in 2017

The UCI Management Committee has decided to recommence the trial of disc brakes in road events. The decision comes following months of discussions between representatives of teams, riders and the bike industry, and follows confirmation from the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) and Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionels (AIGCP) that they support the trial.

A trial of disc brakes in WorldTour races was suspended in April after Movistar rider Fran Ventoso claimed that a deep cut to his left leg sustained at Paris-Roubaix was caused by one.

Many questioned this and it has since been reported that a doctor engaged by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry – a body which represents many of the biggest brands in the bike industry – believed the injury was most likely to have been caused by a chainring.

A UCI statement yesterday said that one stipulation for the resumption of the trial was that rotor edges must be rounded with a view to minimising the risk of cuts. The trial will be closely monitored and formally reviewed every month.

“Following extensive examination of the equipment and a detailed safety report, it has been agreed with manufacturers that the trial will restart on January 1st 2017 exclusively with discs which should be modified to ensure the perimeter edge of the brake rotor does not contain any 90 degree edges but are smoothed or chamfered.”

Earlier this month, Orica BikeExchange's Sam Bewley shared a photo on Twitter – since deleted – that showed a burn or scrape that he claimed was the result of a hot rotor touching his skin.