Do any of the riders in the Tour de France ride without helmets? I remember Lance used to doff it.?

Question

Do any of the riders in the Tour de France ride without helmets? I remember Lance used to doff it.?

Answer 1

The UCI tried to force riders to wear helmets a few times but they always rebelled. The initial compromise allowed riders to remove them on an uphill finish of over 5kms.

Then, Andrei Kiviliev was killed during Paris-Nice in 2003. It was not an unusual fall. He was adjusting his radio and riding with no hands through a town. When he fell he hit his head and died a few hours later leaving behind a wife and baby.

After that race the UCI put an end to any whining from the riders and said helmets were mandatory at all times no matter what.

Personally I like seeing them race with no lids, it looks better. But, I don't want them hurt so I've gotten used to recognizing my favorites under the hats.

Answer 2

no they do not. over the last 15 years UCI has strengthened its helmet rules, as well as its anti-doping rules. riders could race without helmets. then within the last en years they could remove them on the final climb of a stage with an uphill finish. now, they must wear them the entire route.

Answer 3

Not anymore. I am not sure how recent this is but the helmet rules have gotten much tighter especially recently. Now the riders definitely can not start without one and I don't believe they can take it off at all during the race anymore either.