GPS tracking devices to become mandatory as Lappartient warns ‘UCI will have no option but to enforce’ the technology if teams refuse to collaborate

The UCI has confirmed that GPS tracking devices will become mandatory for all teams, with President David Lappartient stating the organisation will "have no option but to enforce" the technology if collaboration falters. This announcement follows a dispute with teams regarding data transmission, which the UCI has now clarified will be limited strictly to speed and position. This mandate is set to be implemented, at least in part, during the 2025 women's Tour de Romandie.

This move by the UCI is the latest chapter in the sport's ongoing, often fraught, relationship with technology and transparency. While the UCI frames this as a necessary step for race safety, integrity, and potentially fan engagement, teams have historically expressed concerns over data privacy, proprietary information, and the potential for misuse. Lappartient's firm stance underscores the UCI's determination to push this through, suggesting that years of discussions and pilot programs have culminated in this non-negotiable directive, regardless of team reservations.

Ultimately, the UCI's "collaboration" seems to be less an invitation and more a declaration. Teams will now navigate the practicalities of implementation, while the governing body solidifies its control over a fundamental aspect of race information.