These new rules would seem to have some unintended consequences. I’d venture to guess these are aimed at the bottle down the kit (clearly) and the Joe Skipper bottle setup. But 5.03 would also seem to make the profile design aeria front hydration system illegal. This is OEM on lots of Quintana Roo bikes, and would also make the similar system on the Giant Trinity and Cube Aetherium illegal. It is also relevant for me and I’m sure other athletes who planned on using the profile design aeria system this year non OEM, but attached using the specific profile design stem. Will there be an exception for OEM systems like this? Will I get a DSQ if I add this on my bike? Not to mention, lots of BTA hydration systems could technically be read as being illegal under this rule. I suspect that Ironman will enforce it based somewhat on a level of egregiousness test, i.e. if the primary if not sole purpose of an attachment is aero benefit, but it unfairly leaves a lot bup to interpretation.
If I want to wear a tinfoil hat I would think the new rule was advocated for by companies like Profile Design. No cost hydration solutions directly impact them financially. I doubt this rule means no more Aeria’s or BTS solutions as these are profit centers for these manufacturers.