A controversy has emerged during the Tour de France Femmes, with accusations that some female cyclists may be using padded bras to gain an aerodynamic advantage during time trials. Multiple women's WorldTeams have reportedly lodged complaints with the International Cycling Union (UCI), alleging that riders are exploiting chest fairing to reduce drag.
According to reports from Dutch outlet Wielerflits, the complaints center on the practice of faking a larger bust size with padding in bras. This is said to create a more aerodynamic profile, reducing air resistance. Professor Bert Blocken, an aerodynamics expert at Heriot-Watt University, explained that a rounder chest can aid in reducing aerodynamic drag through "chest fairing." Blocken's research, though not specifically focused on padded bras, has shown that such modifications can reduce air resistance by up to 3.6%, potentially yielding decisive seconds over a 20 to 30-kilometer time trial.
The UCI regulations explicitly prohibit the use of objects or alterations to clothing that change a rider's body shape for performance enhancement. The teams reportedly concerned about this practice are pushing for the UCI jury to implement measures to address the issue, suggesting a "female juror" could inspect riders immediately after time trials to ensure compliance with regulations.
This scandal comes as the Tour de France Femmes progresses, with the third stage recently featuring the longest solo breakaway victory in the race's history. There has been no indication that the aforementioned victory was influenced by any such alleged aerodynamic enhancement.