UCI proposes GPS trackers for pro races after Fin Tarling's death
Cycling's governing body UCI has proposed introducing real-time GPS tracking of riders and vehicles at all professional races, following the death of British rider Fin Tarling. The plan aims to prevent similar accidents and improve rider safety.
The UCI, cycling's world governing body, has put forward a proposal to introduce GPS tracking devices at all professional road races, enabling real-time monitoring of riders' and vehicles' locations.
The proposal follows the recent death of British rider Fin Tarling, who was killed in a collision with a van that had strayed onto the course during the Volta a Portugal while he was riding alone, detached from the peloton.
At a meeting held at UCI headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland, the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) — which includes representatives from the UCI, riders, race organisers and teams — stressed the urgent need to establish a dedicated safety system for real-time tracking at all professional road events, starting with the UCI World Tour and Women's World Tour.
Such tracking technology was already trialled at last year's UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda, introduced following the death of 18-year-old Muriel Furrer at the previous year's championships, who crashed in a wooded area and was not found for more than an hour and 20 minutes.
UCI president David Lappartient called on stakeholders to set aside disagreements over safety measures, including equipment such as helmets, and act collectively.
The circumstances of Tarling's fatal crash remain under investigation by Portuguese authorities. Sources have told BBC Sport that riders losing contact with their teams during races is a widespread issue, with some teams unable to locate riders until they reach the finish of a stage — sometimes over 200km away. Typically only one or two support vehicles, with limited radio range, follow a team of up to eight riders.
On Thursday, near-miss incidents occurred at the fourth-tier Sauerlandrundfahrt race in Germany, where a rider twice encountered vehicles that had strayed onto the course during a time trial.
Other safety proposals discussed included standardising barrier protection near the finish of stages, where high-speed crashes are more common, particularly during bunch sprints. Any measures must still be approved by the UCI's executive committee.
