....I was at the start paddock, well, just by it, on the other side of the rails.......and noticed a 'stand' for want of a better word, where they do their 5cm rule (tip of saddle to centre of bottom bracket) and the aero bar extensions (limit to how far out they stick) measurements.

Basically, it was like a base upon which the bike was placed as normal, as if on the ground and it had two vertical bars, at 90 degrees to the ground - the edge of which determined the limits - both of which immediately 'told' the UCI official if the saddle or the bars were illegally placed.

All complied with the 5cm rule - I noticed sawn off saddles - but one, a CSC rider from Denmark with a Cervelo P3C had his aero bars sticking out about 1.5cm off the front. There was much deliberation and finger-pointing at the offensive bars sticking out but as far as I noticed, unless a mechanic adjusted it off view, they remained as they were and the rider started as normal......

After 'measuring the bike - the bikes were weighed....both things were done by the UCI officials at hand.....

So there you have it.....the UCI rules and TT's at major championships.....

---

Stephen Perera
Gibraltar, Europe
graphics@gibraltar.gi