Ever caused such consternation on social media with a press release that you’ve quickly had to release a second press release clarifying what the first one said? No? Well, cycling’s governing body the UCI got caught in exactly this bind on Thursday.
Innocently enough, it launched a competition for fans to design “the UCI World Champion rainbow jersey of the future”, with all invited to “unleash their creativity” as long as they maintain the five colours (blue, red, black, yellow, and green) in the current order. You can do it in person at the Road World Championships in Zürich, or online. It’s a bit of fun!
However, cue furore. ‘NO CHANGE TO THE RAINBOW JERSEY’ was essentially the gist of the ire, which led to the UCI releasing a second statement saying that it has no intention of changing anything, don’t worry.
“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) would like to once again make it clear that the UCI World Champion jersey whose design wins the competition launched today with its partner Santini Cycling will be produced as a unique item by Santini Cycling,” it read. “This one-off jersey will then be awarded to the winner. The design of the emblematic rainbow jersey awarded to UCI World Champions in the different cycling disciplines will remain unchanged.”
Disaster avoided, then, but it did allow for some funny tweets. Your author will certainly be entering the competition, when he gets to Zürich…
Also this week, we have Primož Roglič looking cold, Kasia Niewiadoma going off-road, Team GB at Downing Street, and some contract chat. All in a week’s posting!
1. Archie Atkinson might be the first ever person to rock a suit and Oakleys at Downing Street, and brown shoes too? It’s bold
2. Phil Gaimon here, with a guide on what not to do to female cyclists – he’s joking, but many aren’t! Don’t do this!
3. Primož, honestly, put on a jumper man – a ski jumper! geddit?
4. If this is a struggle for Kasia Niewiadoma, imagine how much of this I would have to walk. Also, when does gravel become mountain biking, really?
5. We had a super good time watching these clips
6. Look, I’m sure Puck is doing her influencing well here but I’m pretty sure most indoor bikes are put together this artfully
7. How long do you think the queue was for these photos? Great vibes all round, though
8. whispers I don’t think this is that exciting-looking a bike. It’s just a white bike, right? Shhhhhhh
9. No, you haven’t woken up in an alternate dimension where Mathieu van der Poel rides for Lidl-Trek, this is the leader’s jersey at the Tour of Luxembourg, naturally
10. Sadly, I don’t think this wheel change is going to be as fast as one on a bike…
11. Keep trying Toms, eternal contracts for everyone!
12. Onto the rainbow jersey content – our own Dr Hutch makes a compelling point here, I think
13. Is it time for a more inclusive rainbow jersey?
14. Or perhaps a more revealing one? Thanks Dan Lloyd
15. Agreed, first prize. Way to go, Homer
16. Oh yes, in our new AI future everything will be perfect
17. And, finally, who could resist one more Simpsons meme. Just leave it as it is (unless I win the competiton)
