Following last week's UCI Management Committee meeting, cycling's governing body has published a memorandum detailing the rule amendments that will apply from 1st July, 2026. In addition to new clothing and equipment regulations indicated in the press release of 5th June, the change that stands out most is regarding course design. That is, race finishes must end with a straight road of at least 200 metres.
"The event safety manager shall pay special attention to the final section of the race route and shall ensure that the safety requirements are observed," reads the newly-worded rule 2.2.017. "The finishing straight should be as long as possible, at least 200 meters. This is especially important for events likely to finish in bunch sprints."
Joe Lindsey
Since 2021, item 2.2.017 of the UCI regulations – which also details the rules on protective barriers in the finale kilometre – has included a directive asking race organisers to “pay special attention to the final section of the race route,” and the last 100 metres of bunch sprints in particular, only without specifying what to pay attention to, so it leaves plenty of room for interpretation.
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