UCI Introduces Test of GPS Rider Safety Innovation at Tour de Romandie Féminin Cycling Event
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is set to implement a GPS safety tracking system in upcoming races, starting with the Tour de Romandie Feminin and the UCI Road World Championships.
The system, currently being tested at the Tour de Romandie Feminin (August 15-17), is a preparation for the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, scheduled for September 21-28. One rider per team will carry a small GPS device (approximately 60 grams) during races, transmitting real-time position data to race control, medical staff, and UCI officials.
The objective of the GPS safety tracking system is to refine the UCI's safety tracking software and establish protocols for providing real-time data to race control, medical teams, and UCI Commissaires. This will improve incident detection and emergency response times.
The move towards utilizing GPS trackers for rider safety is in response to the tragic incident at last year's Worlds junior women's road race in Zürich. The UCI, in collaboration with the Tour de Romandie Féminin and participating teams, is conducting this test to ensure rider safety and further implementation of GPS tracking technology in the coming seasons.
However, the rollout has sparked debate. Five major Women’s WorldTour teams have refused to comply with the mandated selection of a single rider to carry the GPS tracker, citing concerns about lack of prior consultation, liability, process fairness, and the impact on the nominated rider’s competitive position. As a result, these teams were disqualified from the opening time trial and excluded from the race start.
The UCI's ongoing efforts, in partnership with SafeR, aim to enhance rider safety in professional road cycling. The system will be further tested at the Tour de Romandie Feminin before its full deployment at the UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda, where all riders will be required to carry the device.
Cyclingnews has reached out to the UCI for comment regarding the planned implementation of GPS trackers.
References:
- Cyclingnews (2025). UCI to test GPS trackers at Tour de Romandie Feminin. [Online] Available at: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-to-test-gps-trackers-at-tour-de-romandie-feminin/
- Cyclingnews (2025). UCI Road World Championships to feature GPS trackers for rider safety. [Online] Available at: https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/uci-road-world-championships-to-feature-gps-trackers-for-rider-safety/
- UCI (2025). UCI announces GPS tracking for rider safety at 2025 UCI Road World Championships. [Online] Available at: https://www.uci.org/news/uci-announces-gps-tracking-for-rider-safety-at-2025-uci-road-world-championships
- Cycling Weekly (2025). Women’s WorldTour teams refuse to comply with new GPS tracker rule. [Online] Available at: https://www.cyclingweekly.com/news/racing/womens-worldtour-teams-refuse-to-comply-with-new-gps-tracker-rule-401936
- VeloNews (2025). Women's WorldTour teams refuse to comply with UCI's GPS tracker mandate. [Online] Available at: https://velonews.com/news/racing/womens-worldtour-teams-refuse-to-comply-with-ucis-gps-tracker-mandate/
Road cycling, being a high-intensity sports activity, necessitates constant measures for rider safety. The UCI's implementation of GPS safety tracking system, to be utilized in upcoming races such as the Tour de Romandie Feminin and the UCI Road World Championships, is aimed at enhancing safety and emergency response times in professional road cycling.
