UCI has turned-in brake levers in its sights with new regulations set for 2025

The UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) has announced that it will be restricting the angle at which riders are able to position their brake levers, with new regulations set to be implemented in 2025. This comes in light of the recent trend of pointing the hoods of the levers inwards in an attempt to get a more aerodynamic position.

Riders started adopting the position after the previously popular ‘puppy paws’ position was outlawed in 2021. This meant that riders could no longer rest their forearms on the tops of the bars with their hands draped in front of the stem. In an attempt to recreate this position whilst remaining on the right side of the regulations, riders have been pointing their hoods inwards at progressively more aggressive angles.

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It has become a safety concern for the UCI which is looking to regulate the position riders can place their levers at in 2024. In a statement regarding this issue, the UCI said: “Positioning the levers with an extreme inclination limits the braking capacity of the riders and constitutes a modification of the product beyond its intended use.”

The international governing body for competitive cycling went on to say that, “positioning will be restricted in 2024."

"In 2025, new regulations will come into force requiring compliance with the installation guidelines established by brake lever manufacturers. Further information on the exact regulations that will be put in to place will be announced at a later date."

It does appear from this that the UCI is acting on this from a safety perspective, citing concerns that having the levers at such an aggressive position could compromise braking performance.

• Read more: UCI introduces harsher fines for non-compliant clothing for 2024

The UCI has come under fire in recent years for some of its rule and regulation changes including the measuring of sock length and the banning of both the 'super tuck' and 'puppy paw' position. News broke recently that the UCI has also revised and increased the penalties that can be issued to both riders and teams for clothing rule infringements.

Do you think this is a good move from the UCI to regulate the positioning of brake levers or do you think it is another rule change that we didn’t need to see? Have your say in the comments section below.