Conor Dunne (centre) pictured with Ireland Ras team. He’s a very big lad.
Irish international Conor Dunne has written to the UCI in an effort to get an exemption to the rules governing TT bike position on the grounds the rules are putting a rider of his height, at 6’8”, at a disadvantage.
The first year senior, who is a renowned tester, has contacted the world governing body to see if there are any away he would be granted some leeway to the strict rules.
“I've been emailing the UCI a few times now but still haven't heard anything back,” he told stickybottle.
“Basically the UCI rules state that the maximum reach, which is measured from bottom bracket to end of TT bars, can only be 80cm. And that’s including an exemption for taller riders, which is an extra 5cm to make it 80cm.”
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“It’s still hard to get a good position so I can pedal without hitting my knees on the bars. The UCI rule is literally making it almost impossible for me to ride my bike.”
“The point I'm trying to get across is that I'm 6ft 8in (2.04m) and in my opinion I should have a further exemption from the rules. Riders who are six or seven inches shorter than me would still qualify for the extra 5cms of reach.”
“So these riders have more options with their positions than I do due to the fact that the UCI rule is restricting me... I suppose they don't realise that there are riders of my height out there.”
Dunne hopes to find some resolution to the issue before the beginning of next season.
The 19-year-old is British-born but has declared for Ireland and rode the Ras on the Irish team this year.
He has confirmed that will remain in Belgium in 2012 with his V1 Technics-Abutriek team. The squad has been reduced from 20 to 30 riders but plans to raise the quality of the races it rides.
“It’s looking to increase its programme further so it should be a good platform to get some results next year. I’m feeling very positive about it.”
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