Padded Bra Concerns Brings Scrutiny at Tour De France
Teams say the checks target padding that could create aero gains, as the UCI warns against clothing that modifies riders’ morphology.
- Several teams at the Tour de France Femmes are urging the UCI to inspect riders for illegal 'Bra-Maxxing' during the 21km time trial on Tuesday, following reports of padding used to gain aerodynamic advantages.
- Inflated chests were spotted in the women's peloton at the Paris Olympic time trial and the Giro d'Italia Women, while men have used similar fairings for years in pursuit of aerodynamic advantage.
- Belgian aero expert Blocken found a large chest fairing can provide a 3.6 percent drag reduction, offering significant advantage to riders hunched low in the time trial position.
- The UCI prohibits accessories that 'modify their morphology' under article 1.3.032, prompting teams to push for inspections by a female juror in a closed tent after time trial efforts.
- While the UCI blocked jerseys with internal pockets earlier this summer, commissaires removed ice socks from skinsuits at the men's Tour last month, yet enforcement against Bra-Maxxing remains largely inconsistent.
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99 Articles
Teams are alarming about forbidden upholstery in the bra during women's time trial.
The "bra booster" scandal, in which some riders stuffed cotton into their bras to gain an aerodynamic advantage at the Tour de France Femme, the world's leading women's cycling competition, has become controversial. This is effective in reducing air resistance by up to 3.6% by decreasing turbulence, and the organizers have set out to eradicate cheating by introducing strict uniform inspections, including disqualification and fines.
The Tour de France Femmes controversy over “bra boosting”
Controversy has struck the middle stages of the 2026 Tour de France Femmes as some competitors have accused others of gaining an unfair, and illegal, advantage through the use of “bra boosting”. Cyclists competing in the Tour de France Femmes have been accused of cheating after allegations have surfaced against unnamed women’s competitors of “bra boosting” to gain an advantage. Dutch and Belgian news outlet WielerFlits revealed this week that …
A chest size check at the Tour de France Femmes. That sounds absurd, and yet it's happening now. Several women's teams are worried that some riders will wear extra padding in their bras during the time trials, and that's not allowed.
Several women's WorldTour teams have asked the ICU to monitor their use
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