'Women, women’s peloton had no say in new safety rules', says Moolman-Pasio

SD Worx rider Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio has revealed the lack of women's involvement in the UCI decision to ban the ‘super-tuck’ and ‘forearms on aero bars’ positions.

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio Source: Getty Images

The UCI announced the banning of the two positions as part of the safety measures approved by the Pro Cycling Council in a virtual meeting of the UCI Management Committee at the start of this month.

The changes take effect for all riders on April 1, but Moolman-Pasio told Cyclingnews there were no women, representative from the women’s peloton, involved in the decision-making process that led to these wide-ranging safety measures.

She also said no female riders were sent the email notification about the proposed changes that was circulated by the CPA last November to 800 professional riders.

"There are currently no representatives for the women’s peloton on the safety commission that was started toward the end of last year," Moolman-Pasio said.

"I can comment that in the next months there will be a representative from the women’s peloton on the safety commission. There were no women involved in the decision-making on the ban of the 'super-tuck' or the 'forearms on the aero bars' positions."

She did not directly criticise CPA riders' representative Matteo Trentin regarding the notification about the proposed measures, but confirmed no women received it.

"I take Matteo [Trentin]’s word for it [that 800 notifications were sent out and less than 20 riders responded] because he’s a good guy and puts a lot of time and energy into these things, and I believe that what he is saying is correct," she said.

"This email was not sent to any women, that is for sure.

"Until this point, women, and the women’s peloton, have had no say or input regarding these new [safety] rules that were passed."

Moolman-Pasio, though, did acknowledge after initial disappointment that she understands why the ‘super-tuck’ and ‘forearms on aero bars’ positions should be and have been banned.