{"id":44992,"date":"2023-01-04T15:00:37","date_gmt":"2023-01-04T14:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=711758"},"modified":"2023-01-04T16:34:14","modified_gmt":"2023-01-04T15:34:14","slug":"aero-bars-banned-from-unbound-will-other-gravel-races-follow","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/aero-bars-banned-from-unbound-will-other-gravel-races-follow\/","title":{"rendered":"Aero bars banned from Unbound. Will other gravel races follow?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jack Luke\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 04 January 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Aero bars have been banned from the elite fields of Unbound<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Many gravel racers use extensions because they can offer a significant aerodynamic advantage. They also offer an additional riding position, which can reduce fatigue when covering long distances.<\/p>\n

However, some racers and organisers perceive aero bars as unsafe, particularly when riding in a group because riders must move from the extensions and onto the bars to access the brake levers.<\/p>\n

Previous winners in both the men\u2019s and women\u2019s Unbound fields \u2013 including 2022 men\u2019s winner, Ivar Slik<\/a> \u2013 have used aero bars. Mat Stephens even credited his 2017 Unbound victory to them<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
2021 winner Ian Boswell eschews aero bars.<\/span><\/figcaption> Specialized<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

However, others, including 2021 men\u2019s winner Ian Boswell<\/a>, have proven they aren\u2019t necessary to win.<\/p>\n

Riders tipped to win the 2022 edition of the race (including Boswell) tried to reach a collective commitment to not use aero bars, but felt a \u2018gentleman\u2019s agreement\u2019 wasn\u2019t enough, and called on race promoters to create clear rules.<\/p>\n

Outside of Unbound, aero bars have already been banned at other Life Time (Unbound\u2019s promoter) events, including Crusher in the Tushar.<\/p>\n

\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The days of the aero bar in gravel racing may be numbered.<\/span><\/figcaption> Cinch Elite<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Though not explicitly outlawed in the UCI Gravel World Series\u2019 <\/a>regulations, aero bars are banned from UCI-regulated road cycling events. Article 1.3.022 states \u201cthe attachment of any additional handlebar component or extension is prohibited\u201d.<\/p>\n

Unbound is the biggest gravel race of the season and has massively influenced the scene as a whole. With that in mind, we expect many other races will follow suit with similar rules.<\/p>\n

Safety and media prioritised with new race format<\/h2>\n
\"""\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
The elite fields will now start ahead of amateurs.<\/span><\/figcaption> Life Time<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Other changes have also been introduced to the race format of Unbound.<\/p>\n

Rather than a mass start for all riders, the elite men\u2019s field will now start 10 minutes ahead of the amateur riders.<\/p>\n

Elite women will start two minutes after the men, and eight minutes ahead of the amateur riders. All of Unbound\u2019s other categories will stick with the mass start format.<\/p>\n

Unbound says this move has been made \u201cto preserve the race experience and ethos of the event\u2026 for the person there to \u2018finish\u2019 and to experience \u2018adventure by bike\u2019\u201d.<\/p>\n

Unbound also says the changes will make the race safer for all riders by ensuring \u201cout-of-their-league non-elites [don\u2019t] get mixed in with the elites\u201d.<\/p>\n

Separating pro riders from the field will also enable better media coverage, particularly for the elite women\u2019s field, according to the event organisers.<\/p>\n

Finally, additional marshals will be placed along the course.<\/p>\n

The ballot for 2023 Unbound entries opens on 5 January.<\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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