wheel cover UCI legal?

mikeyp123

I can't find anything in the UCI regulations about a rear wheel cover being illegal in a TT event. Does anyone have any detailed informtaion in regards to this.

I've come across forum posts here and there stating that in 08 they will be banned, but I can't find it in the actual regulations.

thanks,
mike

daveryanwyoming

IIRC, wheel covers come under:
1.3.024 Any device, added or blended into the structure, that is destined to decrease, or which has the effect of decreasing, resistance to air penetration or artificially to accelerate propulsion, such as a protective screen, fuselage form of fairing or the like, shall be prohibited.

Page 65 of this document: http://www.uci.ch/imgArchive/Rules/1gene-E.pdf

Kinda sucks, one of those letter of the law vs. intent things. Once you allow disk wheels the only difference is one of construction and price. It's not like you get any extra benefit out of wheel covers that you don't get with a disk, you just pay a lot less for the wheel covers. So it becomes a rule of "you can use a faired wheel if you can afford it" instead of just prohibiting or allowing faired wheels. Seems like an obvious place to make an exception now that disks are commonplace, the rules shouldn't favor financial advantages.

-Dave

mikeyp123

Well that blows. I wonder if it will actually be enforced by the marshalls. I guess there's one way to find out. I'd really like to use my PowerTap wheel for TTs. Hells no will I be shelling out the crazy cash for the new Zipp+PT disc.

daveryanwyoming

If you're in the states and riding local events it almost certainly won't be enforced. I raced half a dozen sanctioned time trials last season including a couple of state championship events and wheel covers were no problem. I was concerned about the championship events so I dropped emails to the promoters before the race and in both cases they specifically said they were allowing them. Different story if you go to nationals and I can't speak for other countries where I understand the UCI rules are more strictly enforced.

-Dave