Professional cyclist Willie Smit has been disqualified from the Tour of Magnificent Qingha for violating International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations by wearing AI-enabled glasses during Stage 1. Smit, 33, who races for the China Anta-Mentech team, announced his disqualification on X, formerly Twitter, stating he was unaware of a rule implemented in April that prohibits riders from wearing image-capturing devices.
The UCI regulation 1.3.006 bis permits image-capturing devices only if they are fitted to the bike and not worn by riders, unless specific discipline regulations allow otherwise. Video-recording glasses, such as the Oakley Vanguards Smit was wearing, are classified as "forbidden onboard technology devices," resulting in disqualification.
"Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video," Smit posted. "Unfortunately, I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this."
Smit expressed frustration with the ruling, suggesting a warning or fine would have been more appropriate than immediate disqualification. He questioned the consistency of the rules, drawing a parallel to handheld cameras or vlogging equipment, which he believes are permitted.
"What I struggle to understand is why in the Tour de France can you quite literally vlog with a camera in your hand, which is perfectly legal…but because the camera is in the glasses you get an automatic Disqualification?!" he wrote. He posted video footage captured by his glasses alongside footage from another cyclist, Toms Skujinš, to illustrate his point. However, experts noted that Skujinš's footage was recorded using a legal on-bike camera.
The Oakley Vanguards are described as smart glasses capable of capturing photos and video, responding to voice commands, and performing other functions when paired with a smartphone. Smit stated that on the bike, the glasses' functionality was limited to video recording and that they lack AI capabilities unless connected to a phone.
There is speculation that the UCI's ban may also relate to potential safety concerns posed by speakers integrated into the glasses, rather than solely their video-recording capabilities. Smit argued that using a camera integrated into glasses is less dangerous than holding a camera, as it keeps both hands on the handlebars.
The incident has drawn mixed reactions from the public, with some commenters expressing sympathy for Smit and others criticizing his actions. Smit is among several riders recently disqualified for equipment violations, following cases involving underweight bikes, narrow handlebars, and non-compliant clothing.