Cyclocross riders will now have to throw bottles and trash in “special waste zones”… or face £220 fines from the UCI, and even disqualification if repeated; Penny farthing Guinness World Records; Could Van der Poel skip CX season? + more on the live blog

As the road cycling season nears its conclusion, cycling fans are about to treated to the cyclocross season, which is about to get underway this weekend in Beringen in Belgium.

And with new season comes new rules, with one particular rule change being particularly eye-catching and possibly even having a big impact. Bringing the rules of throwing waste such as bottles, nutrition packs and other unwanted items closer to road cycling, the UCI has announced that now CX riders will also have to stick to throwing them in “special zones”.

The UCI said: “From now on, riders are no longer allowed to throw away their waste and other materials everywhere. They may only deposit their unnecessary clothing, water bottles and other items in the designated material station or special waste zone.

“This new rule, which was previously implemented in cycling, aims at a cleaner and more sustainable sports climate. In the event of a first violation, the fine can amount to 250 Swiss francs (around €265, or £220). In the case of repeated violations, it can even lead to disqualification.”

A similar rule was implemented in road cycling in 2021, with a “bottlegate” controversy following in immediately after, when AG2R Citroën (now Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) rider Michael Schär taking maybe a bit too much time to adapt to the new regulations and ending up tossing his bottle towards a spectator at a “non-designated” spot… and was subsequently disqualified from the Tour of Flanders.

Schär later shared a lengthy social media post addressed to “Dear UCI”, noting how he was handed a water bottle by a pro at the 1997 Tour de France when he was 11-years-old, and which sparked his dream to become a cyclist.

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Michael Schär (@michaelschaer)

> Bottlegate: no automatic DQ for riders throwing water bottles as UCI softens littering penalties

He said: “I remember it as it was yesterday. My parents drove my sister and me to the 1997 Tour de France in the Jura. We drove to the parcours and waited there for hours in the middle of the crowds. Finally the publicity caravan arrived and we all catched some treats.

“Later the first police motos arrived and the helicopter was hovering aboth us. Exactly this electrifying athmosphere of the bunch approaching us was for me life changing. I was endlessly impressed by the speed and ease these riders could ride their bikes. I wanted nothing else in my life anymore than becoming a pro cyclist myself. From this moment on I was driven by a dream.

“On top of that impression I received a bottle from a Pro. This little plastic piece made my cycling addiction complete. Back home that bottle was reminding me everyday of what my dream was. I rode my yellow Team Polti bottle everyday in full pride. Everyday.

“Now I am one of these Pros who race through all of the happy spectators. During calm moments of the race I always keep my empty bottle until I see some kids next to the road. Then I throw them gently right where they can catch it safely. Two years ago I gave a bottle to a girl next to the road. Her parents told me the girl wasn’t only happy about this bottle for a day. No, she still talks about this bottle. And maybe one day she becomes a cyclist as well.

“These are moments why I love our sport. Nobody ever can take that away from us. We are the most approachable sport who gives bottles along the way. Simple as that. Simple is Cycling.”

British Cycling Events, a subsidiary of British Cycling, responsible for delivering cycling events in recent years such as the UCI Track Champions League rounds in London and the Tour of Britain Women and Men, has announced a six-year strategic partnership with global sports, events and representation company, IMG, to support the long-term growth and sustainability of the federation’s events portfolio and generate new revenue to reinvest into the sport.

The British cycling calendar has been facing difficulties of late, including cancellation of races and organising issues, and the partnership hopes to improve that going forward, with IMG assisting with production, media rights distribution, commercial partnerships, digital marketing and advisory services for the Tour of Britain events.

In addition, IMG will provide strategic advisory services for British Cycling Events’ wider portfolio and operations.

British Cycling CEO, Jon Dutton, said: “IMG are renowned across the world for being at the cutting edge of sport and entertainment, and this new long-term partnership signals the scale of our ambition to grow the reach of our events and unlock the true potential of our sport.

“We’re on the cusp of an exciting new chapter in British Cycling’s history, with a renewed purpose to bring the joy of cycling to everyone, and we believe that IMG’s world-leading insight and guidance will further accelerate our progress in the years ahead.”

Jon Dutton, British Cycling CEO ( Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)

It is hoped that the partnership will help take the organisations’ major events, including the Tour of Britain Men’s and Women’s races, “to the next level” – improving the experience for fans, spectators, athletes, communities and partners alike.

Robbie Henchman, president of global partnerships at IMG, added: “This partnership is a unique opportunity to build upon and deliver a new purpose-led vision for British Cycling.

“The game-changing agreement with Lloyds Bank will help boost access to cycling through innovative events and concepts that have the potential to engage people of all ages in new and meaningful ways.

“Through IMG’s global network and unparalleled expertise, we have the capabilities to help further reinvigorate the sport, attract new fans and drive deeper engagement with its dedicated fan base, enabling British Cycling Events to extend its investment into cycling at all levels.”

Jonathan Day, managing director of British Cycling Events, said: “The successful delivery of the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Women and Tour of Britain Men, under significant time pressure, has given us real confidence in our operation and an appetite to take the events to the next level in the coming years.

“With IMG’s expertise in production, distribution, digital and beyond, we’re incredibly excited by the opportunity to take our growing portfolio of world-class events to new and bigger audiences.”

Fancy a ride around a velodrome in your penny farthing and also keen on setting a few records and getting your name in the Guinness Book? Buckle up because I’ve got some good news for you — the Penny Farthing Guinness World Records Extravaganza kicks off today at the Herne Hill Velodrome, Dulwich Park  and London Olympic Velodrome.

The organisers described the events, scheduled from 11 to 13 October, as a “once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate the origins of the bicycle, to participate in a unique sporting occasion and to enjoy a wonderfully eccentric British Victorian weekend at some of cycling’s most iconic venues.”

The records being attempted will be the largest number of penny farthing racers in a velodrome, fastest speed and fastest mile on a penny farthing, and also some other eccentric ones such as… furthest distance on a penny farthing in one hour with 1 leg and furthest distance on a penny farthing with ‘no hands’.

Additional competitive activities will include slow riding, slalom race and 4 x 200m International relay race. And if the organisers are to be believed, “everyone participating in this Penny Farthing Extravaganza event will go home with a Guinness World Record”…

You can register for the event here.