In a meeting that took place during the Cyclocross World Championship, the International Cycling Union (UCI) updated its protocol for extreme weather conditions. According to the entity, this is a response to rising temperatures due to climate change, with the aim of ensuring the safety of competitors in competitions under high temperatures.
Adaptation to rising temperatures
In 2015, the UCI had already introduced a protocol that allowed organizers and stewards to intervene in extreme weather conditions. This protocol has now been revised to include a specific addendum for high temperatures.
“In the coming years, there will be more and more races organized in increasingly difficult weather conditions. This will only increase the risk of heat-related incidents,” says the official UCI statement.
Protocol with temperature zones and suggested measures
The UCI management committee approved the creation of five different temperature zones: white, green, yellow, orange and red. Based on them, a series of measures can be adopted to remedy the heat.
Additional measures include moving the starting zone to a shadier location, providing cold drinks and ice for teams, increasing the number of support motorcycles with bottled water, adjusting the start time and, if necessary, neutralizing certain parts of the race.