Photo by Cycling Weekly
At Friday evening's press conference with Dutch-speaking media, the Belgian team revealed plans to use bottle handups as a communications channel at the UCI Road World Championships. Already tested with the Belgian under-23 squad, the system involves sticking written notes onto bottles handed to riders in the feed zone. With race radios banned, this gives Sport Directors a way to relay race updates, such as breakaway gaps, the composition of groups up the road and instructions on when to chase or attack. "It's no genius invention. It's existed for a long time. But I've never raced like that. For me it'll be new," said Wout van Aert. Van Aert has been outspoken about his dislike of racing without radios, and explained that riders cannot always get back to the team car for information. As such, he welcomed anything that could improve his understanding of the race. 👉www.CyclingWeekly.com ✒️: @amrook 📸: Getty Images