Cycling team busted exploiting Olympics loophole

A storm has erupted in Tokyo after a team was spotted using a questionable accessory during an Olympic record performance.

Something may be rotten in the state of Denmark.

There is a storm brewing at the Tokyo Olympics velodrome after a team was spotted using a questionable accessory during an Olympic record-breaking performance.

The Danish team’s use of kinesiology tape on all four riders in the men’s team pursuit on Monday night has raised eyebrows with questions from around the world being asked about the advantages the tape has for wind resistance and aerodynamics.

Suspicions have been raised publicly, but the grey area of new rules introduced by cycling’s governing body, Union Cycliste Internationale, in 2019 suggest that the team’s use of the tape is within the rules.

But it may not be in the spirit of the sport with the sight of an entire team all suffering the same injury beyond suspicion.

The use of the tape is within the rules while being used for medical reasons, but it is a loophole that opens the door for different interpretations.

But the event has reportedly been flipped upside down over night with teams demanding the world champions and world record holders be disqualified for the drama.

Channel 7’s Matt Carmichael even reported that rumours were flying around the team had been disqualified and were protesting.

“We had heard that the Danish team would be disqualified for riding with the tape on their shins,” Carmichael said. “They were told not to ride but they rode with it any way.”

The UK media is reporting that British Cycling’s performance director Stephen Park revealed that he believes Denmark should be disqualified for the tape on their shins and undervests they wore with multiple teams launching protests overnight.

Carmichael did reveal however that Aussie Performance Director Simon Jones said “the Danes will be allowed to ride”.

People don't forget such things.

The team’s calculated testing of the tape with a Formula 1 aerodynamics expert has also been revealed following the heats.

Denmark progressed to the medal round as the fastest team with an Olympic record time of 3:45.014.

Ex-Olympian Chris Broadman was among the commentators to question the team’s tactic.

Every rider with the same injury on both legs requiring ‘medical tape’ down the front of their legs, coincidently exactly where it would be aerodynamically advantageous 🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/l4mFuDFsww

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) August 2, 2021

To clarify, I believe Danish team OK’d tape use with UCI. However:

Page 73 UCI regs 1.3.0033
…any non-essential element of which the purpose is not exclusively that of clothing or protection, is forbidden…shall also apply regarding any material…not itself an item of clothing.

— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) August 2, 2021

The shin tape ... that's in just the spot to trip the airflow. https://t.co/yY2CbVaBsi

— Michael Hutchinson (@Doctor_Hutch) August 2, 2021

Pro cyclist, Lizzy Banks shrugged off the controversy, before backflipping and suggesting Denmark would have “tested” the tape to see if it gave an advantage.

“I don’t believe that it contravenes the rules if you read the full rules as it does not change the morphology of the rider and the tape does not have a profile change of more than 1mm,” she posted on Twitter.

Hard to see how they thought the world might not notice.

“I am more than certain that Denmark will have triple checked it’s within *current* rules.

“Would be interesting to know the difference it makes though. I assume they’ve tested and found it to be faster but by how much?

“One would think we are talking teeny amounts but then again sometimes a race can be won by those teeny weeny details. Interesting.”

Cycling Weekly columnist and time trial expert Michael Hutchinson also tempted to explain the advantage being gained by Denmark.

See handy attached diagram, which I realise is no sort of explanation at all. But if you trip the air right beside the leg to a turbulent layer, the overall flow stays attached for longer and the wake (hence drag) is lower. pic.twitter.com/TJ4XD8aB5Z

— Michael Hutchinson (@Doctor_Hutch) August 2, 2021

In the cycling world, however, reactions were mixed with some complimenting the Danish on finding an advantage on their rivals within the grey area of the rules.

Denmark have played an absolute blinder with the k tape on their legs. @DanBiggles22 deserves a knighthood for that ingenious way of thinking.

— Chris Pritchard (@chris_pritch) August 2, 2021

It has since been reported that aerodynamic expert Dan Bigham, who has previously consulted with Formula 1 teams as an aerodynamics advisor, had been working with Denmark cycling in the lead up to the Olympics.

Team Denmark.

According to cyclingtips.com, the Danish team has also been using footwear and other accessories produced by Bigham’s workshop.

Meanwhile, Britain, New Zealand and Italy also progressed while the Aussie team finished fifth, struggling to recover after Alex Porter’s handlebars gave way.

Porter was unexpectedly thrown out of the back of the quartet and skidded across the floor, leaving him with a bashed right arm and bruises on his face.

Australia and Porter were granted a restart but posted a disappointing time of 3:48.448.

The men’s team pursuit finals are on Wednesday night.

Originally published as Cycling team busted exploiting Olympics loophole