Pro cyclist booted off race for wearing AI video glasses: “Confused” rider slams UCI for allowing Tour de France pros to “vlog with a camera in your hand”; End of an era: Bye, bye Quick-Step + more on the live blog
SUMMARY
Pro cyclist booted off race for wearing AI video glasses: “Confused” rider slams UCI for allowing Tour de France pros to “vlog with a camera in your hand”
Back in the day, news of a professional cyclist being disqualified from a bike race in July was extremely common, almost to be expected, really. It usually broke on a rest day, took place in Pau, and involved industrial quantities of refrigerated blood.
These days, we have to turn to China and AI video glasses for our annual dose of DSQ-related controversy. Things have changed a bit since 2007 and ‘Black Wednesday’, I suppose.
Over at the brilliantly named Tour of Magnificent Qinghai, South African pro Willie Smit was booted off the race after its first stage for filming the event on his funky new video-recording glasses.
The 33-year-old, who raced for WorldTour team Katusha and second-tier squad Burgos-BH before plying his trade in Asia for the past five years, uploaded footage of the stage around Xining, featuring a nasty late crash, to Instagram on Saturday.
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Smit recorded the stage using Oakley’s Meta Vanguard Performance AI glasses, which feature a 12MP 3K camera, Oakley Prizm lenses, and open-ear speakers.
However, that footage proved enough to earn Smit, a prolific vlogger and content creator, an early ticket home, the commissaires citing a recently introduced rule banning the use of smart devices capable of capturing or transmitting data that aren’t mounted on the rider’s bike.
“Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video,” he posted.
“Unfortunately I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this. A warning, fine, or yellow card could have also been enough.”
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A confused Smit then pointed to footage uploaded by Velon, showing Lidl-Trek rider Toms Skujiņš apparently using a hand-held camera to interview Visma-Lease a Bike’s Victor Campenaerts during the Tour de France last week.
“But what I struggle to understand is why In the Tour de France can you quite literally vlog with a camera in your hand which is perfectly legal, but because the camera is in the glasses you get an automatic disqualification?!” he asked.
“Yes, If I knew about the rule I would have also never posted it on social media. Anyways, I’ll take it on the chin. Here is the video that got me disqualified and the other video is just to show what is completely allowed it seems.
“And lastly, my glasses have absolutely no AI capabilities unless used with a phone. So on the bike it can do nothing but record video!”
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When asked on social media about the reasons cited for his disqualification, Smit said: “They informed me that the UCI contacted them and asked for my disqualification. They took a picture of the Oakley glasses and just said the video recording was not allowed.
“We then asked if there would be some discretion if the organisation allowed it, and he said it doesn’t matter because the rules are clear and he can lose his job if he does nothing about it. I respect the rules.
“But of course my biased side would have appreciated at least a fine, warning, yellow card etc. Online I could only find the regulations for track cycling? Any idea where I can find the one for road? Also does that mean wearing your Garmin is a smart device? Because then I should have been DQ’d twice. Anyways, happy I’m aware of these regulations now.”
He continued: “I do not want to make excuses for not knowing the new rules. Not sure where it was published. But using common sense one would think it’s much more dangerous having a GoPro in your hand and recording in the biggest bike race in the world, compared to having a camera in your glasses that does not require taking your hands off the handlebars and that is also not distracting.
“But as you can see it is completely fine to do it in the Tour de France.”
“How does she manage to get through the day without being hit by a car?” Oblivious pedestrian walks out in front of charging bunch at Tour of Austria while looking the wrong way
Meanwhile, over at the Tour of Austria…
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Flipping ‘eck, I watched that through my fingers.
Thankfully, the oblivious pedestrian – who couldn’t have picked a worse moment to dander across the road – didn’t provoke a nasty crash on the final stage of the five-day race, won by Decathlon’s Gregor Mühlberger, racing this week for the Austrian national team.
She had, however, left quite a few cyclists baffled and furious on the internet (Philippe Gilbert’s even liked the clip of her near miss on Instagram, she’s famous).
“How does she manage to get through the day without being hit by a car?” one bewildered viewer asked.
“20 police motorcyclists with blue lights and sirens just before,” noted Thomas Schwaiger, who took the video.
“Looking to the right – why so many spectators and no traffic today? Boy, boy, maximum spatial awareness,” added another fan, prompting Thomas to reply: “Yes, she was wondering why we were all standing at the junction.”
> “Use COMMON SENSE”: Woman on mobility scooter hit by onrushing peloton, causing spectacular crash
Hey, but at least she’s earned her place in the ‘Oblivious Person at a Bike Race’ Hall of Fame, alongside the lucky woman with her walking aid on the zebra crossing at the 2024 Rund um Köln and the crash-causing mobility scooter user last month.
Illustrious company, that.
Keeping busy after retirement, Chris?
In case you weren’t aware, Chris Froome has been spending the first (official) month of his retirement hanging out in Skoda’s VIP area in the Tour de France start village each morning, messing around with some of his old mates from the peloton:
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The four-time Tour winner has spent most of the race so far chilling in the upstairs, ‘luxury’ section of Skoda’s mini-house, however, which means I wasn’t able to spot him during the first week.
On the other hand, I did see quite a bit of Mark Cavendish, also at the Tour on behalf of Skoda, who’s been something of a selfie magnet for fans as he wanders around the start village and finish areas. He’s a man of the people, Cav.
Anyway, it’s good to see Froomey keeping himself busy after a tough few months crafting his retirement statement…
What’s going on in the world of bike tech this week?
Lots, apparently. First up, Cervélo have released a brand-new, refined take on their iconic Soloist bike:
> “Race-ready performance without the pro price tag”: Cervélo unveils new Soloist
Meanwhile, X-Lab could be setting a new value-for-money benchmark in our latest edition of Five Cool Things:
The terrible cycling fashion trend that just won’t go away
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The Tour’s first rest day is nearly over, which means one thing: videos with lots of ankle on show. Even Vingegaard has got in on the act. The Victorians would be blushing.
But I suppose it’s better than a team suspiciously riding around in long sleeves and knee warmers when it’s 40 degrees…
“I said last year that if this was how it was going to be, I couldn’t be in it anymore”: Jonas Vingegaard admits he considered retiring from cycling last year due to “toll on body and mind”
Speaking of Jonas Vingegaard, the Dane – seemingly destined to finish second once again at the Tour – gave an eye-opening interview to home broadcaster TV2 last night, in which he revealed that he had considering quitting the sport altogether last year, until a compromise was reached with his Visma-Lease a Bike team.
“I said last year that if this was how it was going to be, I couldn’t be in it anymore,” the two-time Tour winner said, when asked about the demands placed upon him as a grand tour contender.
“That’s also why we changed some things. I also think the team realised that this was how it was, and they could also tell from me that I wasn’t happy last year. They accepted that we had to change something, and we did.”
Vingegaard, who mixed up his calendar to include the Giro d’Italia this year (which he won), continued: “I think that in general you should look at it more individually, what suits the individual rider best.
“In order for cycling to become a sustainable sport again, it is probably more the direction to go that you create individual programmes for all riders. If it is hard to be away for such a long time, then you have to do something else, and that is what we have done for me this year.”
Admitting that life as a Tour favourite “takes a toll on your body and mind”, Vingegaard said: “You always have to think about your weight, and you’re always out training. A lot is demanded of you.”
However, he notes that he is now in a better place, but points out that he’s still not completely enamoured with life as a pro cyclist.
“I’m much happier being a cyclist,” Vingegaard said. “We have taken a step in the right direction, but it is clear that it is only a step.”
And finally, when asked whether the 2026 Tour was already over, the Dane said: “It may be that many people think so, but I don’t.
“I have been behind in the Tour de France before and then won it anyway, and I still believe that it can be done. I intend to fight all the way to Paris for it.”
What happens when Andrew Feather comes to your local area
Spare a thought for poor VecchioJo, whose Stava palmares was decimated by a certain Mr Feather at the weekend. Ouch. He’s even more ruthless than Pogačar…
“If I could have the power to change it all, I would change all the calendar. I would not race in July and August in the hot places”
You know it’s hot when Tadej Pogačar decides to speak out about the future of the sport:
Don’t give the UCI any ideas…
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End of a laminate era: Quick-Step stepping down as team title sponsor after almost three decades, as Belgian squad set to be renamed Soudal Safety Jogger from 2027
Next spring, when the cobbled classics roll around once again, you may feel a slight emptiness, or a strange nagging sensation. You might find yourself sitting in front of the TV during the Tour of Flanders wondering: Why don’t I feel the sudden urge to buy some laminate or vinyl flooring?
Well, that’s because in 2027, for the first time this millennium, Quick-Step will not be appearing on a cycling team jersey, the Belgian company stepping down from the co-title sponsorship role it currently shares with Soudal at the formerly all-conquering classics squad.
This morning, during the Tour’s first rest day, it was announced that Soudal Quick-Step will race as Soudal Safety Jogger from 2027, with Quick-Step set to step down (sorry) to a lower-tier sponsorship role until 2030.
The brand, known for its easy-to-install flooring, first joined the cycling world in 1999 as co-title sponsor of the Mapei team, before joining the Quick-Step–Davitamon outfit founded by Patrick Lefevere in 2003.
It’s been the first or second sponsor of that squad ever since, adorning the jerseys of some of the sport’s biggest names, including Tom Boonen, Paolo Bettini, Mark Cavendish, and Remco Evenepoel, winning a host of classics, grand tour stages (including two so far at the 2026 Tour courtesy of Tim Merlier), and the 2022 Vuelta during a dominant period throughout the 2010s and early 2020s.
The team is also set to swap its long-standing partnership with Specialized for a new bike deal with Merida next year.
“The strongest partnerships are built on shared values, which is exactly why our future with Safety Jogger is so compelling,” Jurgen Foré, the team’s CEO said today. “While we both share proud roots in Flanders, we have each built a global footprint through a relentless commitment to innovation and excellence.
“This new co-title partnership is the natural evolution of a highly successful relationship, and we are excited to take our collaboration to the next level as we pursue ambitious global goals together.”
I’m a bit sad, if I’m honest. Stop changing all the time, cycling, stop it.
Some classic Tour de France rest day tomfoolery
So, you know that longstanding cycling superstition which sees riders who are assigned the number 13 wearing it upside down at races? Well, apparently that’s what this is all about, because it’s the 13 July or something…
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At least Remco looks happy in the photos.
Gear-gate, in-depth
> Did a freak mechanical cost Tom Pidcock a shot at Tour de France stage victory?
Probably not, if we’re honest…
Tour de France weekend round-up: Merlier goes back-to-back, Pidcock’s shifter woes scupper sprint, Van der Poel reminds everyone who’s boss, and UAE opt for chaos
What a Tour, eh?
Captain, it’s only the first rest day…
To be honest, that’s just how I feel after a week travelling around Catalonia and France, chasing riders and sports directors past parked buses, desperately searching for any scrap of shade on offer, and gorging on ice lollies in the press room (sorry Daniel Benson, I’ll get you one next time, I promise).
So goodness knows how the peloton is feeling as they ease into the first rest day of this year’s Tour de France, especially after UAE Team Emirates opted for a scorched earth policy on the lumpy road to Ussel yesterday.
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Not content with killing off the GC battle six days in, Tadej Pogačar decided to destroy the legs and morale of everyone in the bunch (including his own team) by dominating a stage, shortened by 30km due to the heat, that had ‘breakaway’ written all over it. Just not in the UAE team bus, apparently.
The world champion’s white, black, and red minions spent the entire stage keeping the escapees in check, as attack after attack flew off the front, before – for no real reason – sitting up in the final 40km, forcing Netcompany Ineos and then Lidl-Trek to forlornly chase.
The relentless nature of the stage – and UAE’s desire to crush all around them – meant that only the four strongest riders from the breakaway, Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Pidcock, Alex Baudin, and Tobias Halland Johannessen, survived to the finish.
Pidcock’s bid for the stage win, after a difficult start to the Tour, was hampered by shifter issues (more on those later), which weren’t fixed, as we’d assumed, by a few kicks to the rear mech on the final descent.
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Forced to sprint on the hoods, the British rider was forced to settle for third, as Van der Poel dominated proceedings for his third career Tour stage win, easing the furrowed brows in the Alpecin bus after a tricky few sprints for Jasper Philipsen.
So, what were UAE’s destructive tactics all about? Were they trying to win the stage with Pog or Del Toro?
Were they riding, inexplicably, for the team classification (when asked that question yesterday, Visma’s Matteo Jorgenson replied: “Team GC, baby”)? Or were they just trying to stamp their authority, once again, on a race they’ve made their own?
Or was Pogačar simply bored after two bunch sprint days and wanting to spice things up before the rest day?
Answers on a postcard, please…
Anyway, Saturday was a much more straightforward affair, with Tim Melier putting in one of the sprints of the season, sling-shotting from way back to secure his second consecutive stage win:
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Hitchin’ a ride: Pidcock gets a backie
Oi, Quinten, my gears don’t work anymore, fancy giving me a lift back to the bus?
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Why don’t cyclists use the cycle lane? #1,682,901
The hard campaigned TaviPlace this morning C27
@camdencyclists.bsky.social— Steve Knattress (@cycleoptic.bsky.social) July 11, 2026 at 10:24 AM
But, but… he’s got his hazards on, so that’s alright, then.
Fans injured after driver crashes car into Tour de France finishing straight
Some worrying news from yesterday’s Tour finish in Ussel, where eight fans, standing just 500m from the line in Ussel, were injured in a collision involving a journalists’ car, including one who is reported to have suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries.
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Oh dear! With my sense of humour, I should have been sacked a dozen times: every year. The Kiwis I've met all seemed to have a reasonable sense of humour, and one was excellent, but perhaps they weren't working for a school.
"neither student laughed..." Well, it elicited a wry smile from me...
@60somethingcyclist Unfortunately there are a couple of problems with that: firstly in order to try to manage some of the chaos in the Italian political system, for several decades when a mayor wins an election in large towns they are automatically given a guaranteed majority of 60% of the council seats, and also if a decree of the mayor's is overruled by the council that automatically triggers a no-confidence vote which then dissolves the council and forces a new election. So in order to vote down this decree not only would opponents need to persuade a considerable number of the mayor's own party to vote against him but also effectively to vote themselves out of office with no guarantee of return.
My first road bike was a Raleigh, too. A 1976 Raleigh Record. I dragged it out of the shed a few years ago and got it working again. 14kg it weighed! A 52/42 crank and a 14-28 five speed 'cluster' at the back made hills pretty hard work...
@Destroyer666 Campag cranks use replaceable standard cartridge bearings, pressed onto the axles. They're a slightly unusual size but you can find them easily enough on bearing specialist sites or elsewhere.
More use of compulsory purchase is needed. Active travel route providers need the same kind of financial and legal power that Highways England and analogous bodies have. On the other side to the jam factory, by the junction in Histon, the busway path narrows as it goes past the bus stop and housing. It is the kind of pinch point where enforcement of the limit is most likely.
Yes. Local users of the maintenance track have said such things. Continuing to say them to decision makers is likely to encourage better decisions.
A bit late to this article but I can sadly confirm what they found, since my daughter started riding out more on her own in the last year. The amount of comments shouted at her on most solo rides is thoroughly depressing. And it is all men/boys. I am glad it doesn't stop her going out, but what goes through their brains to think it is OK to harass her? It's beyond me, but I guess some of us seem revel in our ignorance.
@Mr Blackbird I read "Netherlands" first. But then I realized a hole in the road eliminated that possibility. The bastards seem to repair them before they appear!
@Bungle_52 And obviously the cyclist was obstructing the lorry's movement. Do you realize how much CO2 it takes to re-accelerate that lorry?!
9 thoughts on “Pro cyclist booted off race for wearing AI video glasses: “Confused” rider slams UCI for allowing Tour de France pros to “vlog with a camera in your hand”; End of an era: Bye, bye Quick-Step + more on the live blog”
When the UCI said cycling needed to focus more on safety, I’m not sure hard hats, hi vis padded jackets, and steel toe caps was quite what they had in mind.
All I could think of watching that crash was how nice it would be to have that rain here in the UK at the moment.
Road CC – surely you know that the flashing lights of absolution mean all rules and laws are suspended.
Although to be fair, in Surrey they don’t bother and just park in bike lanes because nobody ever stops them.
‘Blinking Orange Lights of Absolution’ please – you know we’re all sticklers for correct usage around here.
But will FLAs catch on more than BOLAs?
DSQ’d, not bad. He could have been arrested for spying.
I miss the itv rest day recap.
40+???? How do they even function????
Re the AI spectacles.
I read a UCI leaked report yesterday.
The spectacles were actually a brand that used to be advertised for sale in the 1970s/80s Sunday tabloids. They supposedly enable X-ray vision allowing the wearer to see through peoples’ clothes.
A quote from the leaked report. “….The opportunities for distraction within the race peleton presented huge dangers to cyclists and spectators alike ….”