World Championships in 2025 will mandate the use of GPS trackers for all participating riders, following the tragic death of Muriel Furrer.
GPS tracking devices are revolutionising the world of professional cycling, with the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) leading the charge to improve rider safety during races.
History and Implementation
The first significant use of GPS tracking in professional cycling was at the 2025 Tour de Suisse and the Tour de Suisse Women. Small trackers were fitted to the riders' bikes, sounding an alarm in case of unusual conditions, such as a tracker stopping for 30 seconds or speed anomalies.
In August 2025, the UCI tested GPS trackers at the three-day Tour de Romandie Féminin as part of its SafeR project. Each team was required to designate one rider to carry a GPS device. This test aimed to refine tracking software and protocols for live monitoring and emergency response.
Following a tragic incident in 2024 where 18-year-old Muriel Furrer died after laying undetected for nearly 90 minutes post-crash, the UCI made GPS trackers mandatory for all riders at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships in Kigali, Rwanda. This implementation spans all categories from juniors to elite riders.
Despite the intended safety benefits, some teams resisted the mandatory tracking at Romandie, citing lack of consent and concerns over fairness, leading to their disqualification.
Benefits in Cycling Events
GPS tracking enhances real-time situational awareness for race officials and medical staff, enabling quicker identification of crashes or anomalies that could indicate rider injury or distress. It compensates for the lack of race radios at the World Championships, which otherwise hinders immediate communication of incidents.
The system can detect unusual speed changes, cessation of movement, or leaving the race course, triggering alerts for potential emergencies. Through continuous data, logistics and race control can better coordinate support and safety measures, potentially reducing response times and improving outcomes after crashes.
The Future of GPS Tracking in Cycling
The UCI's decision to implement GPS tracking for all competitors at this year's World Championships is part of its SafeR initiative to improve rider safety. The GPS tracking technology will be trialled at the Tour de Romandie Féminin later this month, where one rider per team will carry a GPS tracker.
The UCI has confirmed that all riders will compete with GPS tracking devices at the September's UCI Road World Championships in Rwanda. Lappartient has expressed openness to implementing GPS tracking in all WorldTour events.
The objective of the UCI's GPS tracking system is to refine the UCI's safety tracking software, establish protocols to provide real-time data to race control, medical teams, and UCI Commissaires. The technology aims to provide a significant technological advancement in professional cycling aimed at increasing rider safety by improving crash detection and emergency response.
The UCI's phased approach of testing and then full deployment reflects both technological and cultural adjustments within the sport. The implementation of GPS tracking devices represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety of riders in cycling events.
- The circulation of GPS tracking devices in sports, particularly in professional cycling, is expanding due to the technological advancements that promote rider safety during races, as demonstrated by the UCI's mandate to equip all riders with devices at the 2025 UCI Road World Championships.
- Integration of technology, such as GPS trackers, into sports like cycling not only enhances real-time safety measures but also bridges communication gaps in events where race radios are absent, contributing to quicker identification of emergencies and more efficient response times.
