AIGLE, Switzerland (BRAIN) — The International Cycling Union (UCI) has decided to allow teams to test disc brakes in a limited number of road races this season and next, with an official introduction of road discs scheduled for the 2017 season.
The UCI announced Tuesday that teams will be allowed to test disc brakes at two events of their choosing during August and September this year.
"The testing will continue in 2016 at all events on the UCI professional road calendar and, if the experience is satisfactory, disc brakes will be officially introduced to the UCI WorldTour in 2017. The aim is to eventually introduce disc brakes to all levels of road cycling," the UCI said in a press release Tuesday.
The UCI has been working with the bike industry via the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry to bring discs to the road.
"Although disc brakes have been used for around a decade in mountain biking and for the last two years in cyclocross, their introduction to road cycling must be carefully studied in collaboration with all those who are directly concerned," said the UCI's president, Brian Cookson. "That includes riders, teams and manufacturers. This step is part of the UCI's desire to encourage innovation in order to ensure cycling is even more attractive for spectators, riders, bike users and broadcasters."
