The use of aerodynamic number pockets is not permitted in this year's Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes, with the exception of the time trial.

The UCI has asked teams not to use number pockets on the grounds that they reduce the visibility of the numbers.

As a result, athletes competing in this summer's men's and women's Tour may have to use safety pins to secure their dossiers to their kits.

"The UCI kindly requests that rider numbers be secured to the outside of the jersey/skinsuit during road stages and not in the pinless number fixing system/pocket," a letter from Mick Rogers, head of road and innovation at the UCI, said Friday. published by Cycling Tips (opens in new tab) after it was sent to the team.

Adhesive bib numbers have been introduced in the Tour de France in recent years, but safety pins are still in common use. To prevent flapping and crushing, several companies have produced pockets in which dosards can be placed.

One team used a mesh pocket that attaches over a pocket on the back of a standard jersey, while NoPinz developed a "speed pocket" that affixes a transparent window through which the number is visible.

However, the UCI claimed to have heard complaints from various stakeholders in the sport about the visibility and told the team that its use in the Tour was against existing UCI regulations.

"The UCI acknowledges that this requirement may not be ideal for many athletes, as the benefits of such a fixed system/pocket provide an elegant and aerodynamic solution.

The governing body clarified that this rule only applies to road stages and that pockets will be allowed during the individual time trial on the opening and final day of the Tour de France.

They also added that they are open to finding a solution for a pinless number system in the future.