Race officials have begun checking riders' clothing at the Tour de France Femmes Avec Zwift in response to reports that some competitors were using padding to gain illegal aerodynamic advantages.
The clampdown follows Dutch media reports, carried by Wielerflits, that padding inserted in bras — and other items placed inside skinsuits around the chest — was being used as a "body fairing" to smooth airflow. The reports claimed such modifications could be worth around one second per kilometre, a significant margin in a sport where aero gains are measured in fractions of a second.
Organisers ASO confirmed the checks in a statement, insisting riders must present themselves for final checks on bikes and outfit no later than ten minutes before their start time. "Particular attention will be paid to compliance with article 1.3.032 of the UCI regulations, including non-essential elements and clothing or other items/accessories worn by a rider ... which could modify riders' morphology," the statement read. The UCI rule bars clothing or accessories that are "not strictly necessary for the functionality of the clothing".