Team Sky `vortex` speed suit now illegal under latest UCI regulations
(Cyclingnews.com)

Updated UCI equipment regulations for 2019 now render the Castelli Body Paint 4.0 speed suit non-compliant. The speed suit featured `vortex dimples` on the sleeves and was controversially used by Team Sky during the 2017 Tour de France opening stage. The updated rules also affect Endura`s Drag2Zero speed suit as used by Movistar Team, that also features a textured material on the sleeves to improve aerodynamics in time trials. Bioracer`s speed suits, which recently dominated at the world championship time trials, feature ribbed sleeves aiming for the same aerodynamic effects as Castelli and Endura`s offerings. It is thought the ribbed sleeve design will also become non-compliant.ADVERTISEMENT The full update to the UCI rule, in the chapter for Equipment - Section 3: riders` clothing states: `Items of clothing may not modify the morphology of the rider and any non-essential element or device, of which the purpose is not exclusively that of clothing or protection, is forbidden. `Modifications to the surface roughness of clothing are authorised but may only be the result of threading, weaving or assembling of the fabric. Surface roughness modifications shall be limited to a profile difference of 1mm at most. `The measure of surface roughness modification shall be made without pressure or traction on the clothing. You can read more at Cyclingnews.com