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Wednesday's mail bag: Interpreting Mr. Wauthier; More Gilberto

Published: Nov. 12, 2003

Editor’s Note: We have included a random selection of the more than 75 letters we have received in response to Andrew Juskaitis’s request to “translate” the letter from UCI technical consultant Jean Wauthier regarding the UCI’s decision to ban disc brakes from cyclo-cross events (see "OK, OK Lance, I'll do what ever you say...").

Placing responsibility where it belongs
Dear Editors;
Andrew Juskaitis writes in response to Jean Wauthier's e-mail to CraigWright at Redline, "If anyone can make heads or tails of this response,I (as well
as Wright) would appreciate a letter back."First, let's keep in mind that English is probably not Jean Wauthier'sfirst language, which might explain some of the confusion. Msr. Wauthierwrites:

Dear Sir;
The board of UCI is attached to keep a difference between cyclo-cross and mountain bikes events.We can find there a cultural and historical approach. For massed start road races inclusive cyclo-cross, there is a specific regulation for the material used. On the other hand, for mountain bikes events, the materiel is free.Also, till to-day we have not yet received a request for approval for the technology of disc brakes according to our article 1.3.004.
Regards,
Jean Wauthier
UCI Technical Consultant

Second, let's look at the rule Msr. Wauthier is invoking:

EQUIPMENT
1.3.004 Technical innovationsNo technical innovation regarding anything used, worn or carried by any rider or other license holder during a race (bicycles, equipment mounted on them, accessories, helmets, clothing, means of communication, etc.) may be used until approved by the UCI Executive Committee. Requests for approval shall be submitted to the UCI before 30 June of any year, accompanied by all necessary documentation.If accepted, the innovation will be permitted only as from 1 January of the following year.Acceptance shall refer solely to the fact that the innovation will be acceptable from a sporting point of view.There is no technical innovation in the sense of the present article if the innovation entirely falls within the specifications foreseen in the regulations.

I interpret this as follows: Cyclo-cross is a sub-genre of road racing. Mountain bike is completely separate.Mountain biking has no restrictions on equipment being used. Road racingis subject to rule 1.3.004 regarding technical innovations, which essentiallysays "you can't use new stuff unless the UCI says you can."Nobody has (to this point) submitted a formal request for approval forthe use of disc brakes in road racing and/or cyclo-cross.  At thispoint, any such requests for approval must be submitted by June 30, 2004,for possible approval for use starting January 1, 2005.So what it comes down to is that since none of the manufacturers involvedtook any responsibility for making sure that the equipment they were manufacturing was legal for international events being raced under UCI sanction, then they have to pay the consequences of having their products being declared illegal.While I ultimately disagree with the ruling (as obviously do the variousaffected bike makers), I have no problem with the UCI enforcing the rulesthat are in place. All bike makers should responsible for knowing what the rules are, and shouldn't be surprised when they get bitch-slapped by the UCI for not following them.The resolution seems fairly simple. Step up to the plate. Submit yourdesigns for approval, and politely ask/pray for an exemption to the January1 clause, so that perhaps disc brakes will be declared legal for the startof the 2004-2005 season next September.
Steven L. Sheffield
Salt Lake City, Utah

From a guy who should know
Dear VeloNews;
I can interpret Jean Wauthier's letter for you:

They want you to do what they say, with out any argument. That’s how UCI works
Cees Beers
The Netherlands

Fear of change
Dear VeloNews;
I think the letter from the UCI regarding disc brakes could be rephrased as follows:

Dear Sir,
The UCI is frightened of change. Partly because we're old, mainly because we are French.

Allowing disc brakes is tantamount to allowing McDonald's to sponsorthe Tour. Well, it's not exactly like that but it smacks of Americanization.There is also a Hun-like common sense to using disc brakes in inclementconditions that does not sit well with our need for drama.

However, if a powerful party with money asks nicely, we'll go away,eat some cheese, and return with a series of convoluted demands that mustbe fulfilled before we allow discs on the starting line. Keep in mind thatour visceral dislike of Hamburger-eaters and Huns could delay the approvalprocess indefinitely.
Sincerely,
The UCI

There, How's that?
Peter Krogh

In brief and briefer brief
Editors;
Here's my shot at what Mr. Wauthier had to say:

Translation:
The board wants to make sure cyclo-cross bikes are distinguishableas a category from mountain bikes.

There are different ways to approach this issue, cultural and historical.(This sentence appears to be a dead end, because no explanation of thehistorical or cultural approaches are given). The UCI regulates the equipmentfor massed start road events including cyclo-cross, but does not do sofor mountain bike events. (This can't be correct but I know exactly squatabout mountain bike regs and that is what the sentence means, so...)

Finally, nobody has officially applied with the UCI to allow disc brakes,so they're not allowed.
The UCI

Shorter Translation:
Disc brakes are banned because 'cross bikes are not mountain bikes,because discs have not been historically used in 'cross and because wecan. Can't you people at least pretend the UCI is relevantbefore introducing new equipment?
The UCI

Regards
Matt Runquist
Tucson, AZ

A line-by-line analysis
Dear VeloNews:
[Following is my interpretation]:

Dear Sir;
[Necessary polite address, regardless of true feelings of superiorityand indifference.]

The board of UCI is attached to keep a difference between cyclo-crossand mountain bikes events. [They don't want mountain bikes competing incyclo-cross, so
they have to establish and maintain some differences.]

We can find there a cultural and historical approach. For massed startroad races inclusive cyclo-cross, there is a specific regulation for thematerial used.
On the other hand, for mountain bikes events, the materiel is free.[Mountain bikes have been permitted to be freer in their design than roadbased bikes. Because of this historical accident, the tighter regulationof cyclo-cross will continue.]

Also, till to-day we have not yet received a request for approval forthe technology of disc brakes according to our article 1.3.004. [We consideredlegalizing disc brakes, but no one has followed the convoluted parliamentaryprocedure to approve the obscure proposal. Silence = death.]

Regards,
Jean Wauthier
UCI Technical Consultant


Paul Meixner,
interpreter of regulations

Short 'n sweet
Dear Velo;
What they mean to say is "Someone or many someones need to apply forapproval."
Will White

It's all about the show
Editors;
Apparently the UCI and NASCAR are very much alike in their centralgoals: The show is paramount. All other considerations are secondaryto the entertainment offered at UCI events.

Once that premise is understood, any references to 'material,' historicand cultural considerations' are easily translatable: UCI has clearly definedracing series and it would be detrimental to "The Show" to allow any confusionor technical crossovers to muddy the definitions for each show. This seemsto be especially true where the two series - mountain-bike racing and cyclo-cross - are not strong enough to survive on star power alone. So what doesa sanctioning body do? It differentiates the series by any means possible.
Mark Sucher

Lost in translation?
Dear VeloNews;
Regarding the over-reaction by some of your readers regarding the Simonichallenge to Lance Armstrong (see "Simonichallenges Armstrong to Giro-Tour duel" and several days' worth of lettersthat followed): Okay folks, get over it.

This is obviously just another lame attempt to instigate some trash-talkingbetween Simoni and Lance. The true context of Simoni's comments have undoubtedlybeen lost in translation: consider that almost everything else you readabout Gibo' (notably, comments from the guys who just spent a lot of timemaking a movie about him) describes him as a modest and down-to-earth guy-- not the cocky, brash bigmouth portrayed so often in the American cyclingpress.

Don't let your chains get yanked so easily.
Susan Byrd
San Francisco, CA

It would be a good Giro
Editors;
Lance Armstrong will not win his sixth Tour. So, why not have a greatexcuse by competing in the Giro? If he wins both, well then Armstrongwould have to be considered the No. 2 cyclist of all time.

I don't like Simoni, but I applaud his efforts in promoting his country'snational race and sport. Also, I enjoy reading the comments from all ofthe Postal-garb-wearing-Trek-riders who get bent out of shape wheneverLance is questioned.
Good stuff.
Andrew Miller
Washington, DC


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