We won’t see a repeat of the Tour de France Stage 6 episode when Carlos Barredo (Quick Step) and Rui Costa (Caisse d’Epargne) exchanged blows at the finish line but we are already seeing signs that, like the weather conditions in Spain, the UCI competition is heating up.

Little could we have imagined that this seemingly inconsequential act by two of the sports personalities would have the potential to shape the way the sport’s governing body (the Union Cycliste Internationale) thinks about the future of the sport.

The pair threw punches at each other in a wild row after crossing the line. Journalists and team officials scrambled to pull the pair apart. A video showed that Barredo released his front wheel from his bike and charged Costa after he crossed the line.

Costa tried to shield himself from the enraged Barredo, pulling the wheel away only then to receive blows from Barredo. Costa also threw punches at Barredo.
Neither rider was expelled from the race. Unlike Mark Renshaw (HTC-Columbia) who was thrown out of the Tour de France, Barredo and Costa were each fined 400 swiss francs; 200 Swiss francs for incorrect comportment and 200 Swiss francs for “injuries and menace” at the end of the stage.

News has allegedly emerged that with a declining interest in the Tour de France since the 7-time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong’s double-retirement,and the increased injection of capital, the UCI has “splurged” and leapt at the opportunity to consider a new classification known as Ultimate Fabuler Cycliste.

A brand new competition to be fought out post-race is being considered with the winning rider presented with the Maillot Plaie Ouverte (Gaping Wound Jersey).

And, whilst the plan has shocked Teams, it has not been completely ruled out.

Bob Stapleton, the influential boss of the Columbia-HTC team, whilst commenting on the UCI’s plan, says “It’s a danger. I think the basic premise is wrong. It’s just not taking into account how racing works.”

“We went straight to Bernie Eisel, who’s one of our team leaders, and he didn’t want anything to do with it,” Stapleton said. “We’ve heard that some teams are supporting this, but not any that I’ve spoken to. The riders certainly don’t support it.”

Stapleton downplayed the idea that riders are incapable of thinking and reacting on their own.

“I don’t think these riders are robots. Some of the guys are very good tactically,” he said. “I’m not enthusiastic about the UCI’s idea at all.”

Stapleton added “If you want to do something progressive from a marketing point of view…make it part of the entertainment. Open them up for the last part of the race.”

“There are so many things to do that are really progressive. This is just way down the list. We work alongside the sport on progressive issues, and we’ll do what we can, but it looks as though this ship is leaving the dock.”

Others within the pro peloton have also criticized the decision taken by the UCI without much direct input from directors and riders.

Belgian sport director Johan Bruyneel told VeloNews he also thought it was a bad idea.

“I have the impression that the people who take those decisions are not in close touch with the sport on the road,” Bruyneel said. “Surely we will talk about this with the teams in the near future.”

For me, I think a new competition that celebrates a new breed of rider is exactly what the sport needs and this latest suggestion from the UCI is worth every penny invested in it.

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