This decision follows a request to do so made by the Association Internationale des Groupes Cyclistes Professionnels (AIGCP) – which represents all professional cycling teams – after Movistar Team rider Francisco Ventoso was seriously injured at Sunday’s Paris-Roubaix Classic.
While supporting the technology for regular cyclists, Ventoso rejected its current use in the professional peloton in an open letter published to his Movistar Team website.
"Disc brakes should have never arrived into the peloton, not at least as we know them right now," Ventoso wrote. "I haven’t met any rider who has run out of braking power with traditional brakes.
"I haven’t known anyone who didn’t see his wheels skidding when you brake with all power you’ve got, no matter traditional or disc brakes."
The UCI request was also supported by the Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA), which represents riders.
The first tests of disc brakes were carried out in August and September 2015. UCI WorldTeams were given the possibility to test bikes mounted with these brakes at two events of their choice.
After in-depth discussions with stakeholders, the UCI then decided to authorise riders from all categories of professional road teams to use disc brakes in 2016, and to closely monitor their use during the year.
The UCI will now continue its extensive consultations on this subject by way of its Equipment Commission, which is made up of representatives of teams, riders, mechanics, fans, commissaires and the bicycle industry – via the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), all the while reaffirming that rider security has always been and will always remain its absolute priority.
