The 2021 edition of the Tour of Flanders saw such scintillating racing that it’s hard to imagine anything competing for attention. One thing has though: Michael Schar’s shock disqualification from the race.
He was kicked off the race as a result of new UCI rules to prevent littering, which (as with the supertuck ban) came into effect at the start of the season but only became enforceable this month. The kicker? That the littering he was disqualified for was the act of tossing his empty bidon to a young fan at the side of the road while he rolled off behind the peloton with a mechanical.
New sporting rules are often enforced with ruthless rigidity when introduced–a fact that’s true across all sports. However, it’s tough to envision a world in which handing a young fan a keepsake that they’ll treasure for the rest of their lives is remotely close to littering. In fact, it’s almost the exact opposite thing.
Come on, UCI, backtrack and say it’s a measure to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Hell, that’s why we wouldn’t accept a used bottle from a stranger. Oh no, we’re going to give them ideas…
This is the cycling equivalent of catching a baseball. There’s no pretending it’s littering. Time for the UCI to turn a blind eye to these particular infractions, or adjust the law altogether, lest they risk isolating a whole new generation of cycling fans.
Schar has written a heartfelt response to the situation, correctly identifying that the access to ones cycling heroes is one of the factors that so often makes us fans for life of the sport. Other riders have chimed in with agreement, and tellingly so too have many, many fans who’ve had the memorable experience of being gifted a bidon by a rider.
Dear UCI: Why Kids Start Cycling
By Michael Schar, AG2R Citroen
I remember it as it was yesterday. My parents drove my sister and me to the 1997 Tour de France in the Jura. We drove to the parcours and waited there for hours in the middle of the crowds. Finally the publicity caravan arrived and we all catched some treats.
Later the first police motos arrived and the helicopter was hovering aboth us. Exactly this electrifying athmosphere of the bunch approaching us was for me life changing. I was endlessly impressed by the speed and ease these riders could ride their bikes. I wanted nothing else in my life anymore than becoming a pro cyclist myself. From this moment on I was driven by a dream. On top of that impression I received a bottle from a Pro. This little plastic piece made my cycling addiction complete. Back home that bottle was reminding me everyday of what my dream was. I rode my yellow Team Polti bottle everyday in full pride. Everyday.
Now I am one of these Pros who race through all of the happy spectators. During calm moments of the race I always keep my empty bottle until I see some kids next to the road. Then I throw them gently right where they can catch it safely. Two years ago I gave a bottle to a girl next to the road. Her parents told me the girl wasn’t only happy about this bottle for a day. No, she still talks about this bottle. And maybe one day she becomes a cyclist as well.
These are moments why I love our sport. Nobody ever can take that away from us. We are the most approachable sport who gives bottles along the way.
Simple as that. Simple is Cycling.