{"id":799182,"date":"2026-07-13T13:50:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:50:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/799182\/"},"modified":"2026-07-13T13:50:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T13:50:11","slug":"rider-disqualified-for-wearing-video-recording-glasses-during-a-race-complains-of-double-standards-with-tour-de-france-filming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/799182\/","title":{"rendered":"Rider disqualified for wearing video-recording glasses during a race, complains of double standards with Tour de France filming"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, we’ve seen riders disqualified from racing for a variety of reasons. Among them have been Lorena Wiebes’ underweight bike<\/a>, Jan Willem Van Schip’s riding position<\/a> and non-compliant clothing<\/a>, and Filippo D’Aiuto’s too-narrow handlebars<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The weekend saw another strange disqualification added to the list \u2013 a rider thrown off a race for his use of wearable technology.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Former Katusha and Burgos racer Willie Smit, this year racing for the China Anta-Mentech team, took to social media on Sunday to announce that he had been disqualified after the opening stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qinghai for wearing video-recording glasses.<\/p>\n

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“Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video,” Smit posted on X.<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this. A warning, fine or yellow card could have also been enough.”<\/p>\n

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The rule he refers to is UCI regulation 1.3.006 bis<\/a> concerning the use of onboard technology. The regulation authorises the use of devices which capture various data, including: ‘Image: still or moving images or footage captured from the bicycle (such devices may only be fitted on the bicycle unless specific regulations of a given discipline authorise devices being worn by riders).’<\/p>\n

Video-recording glasses are not covered under this regulation, and so the penalty for using such a ‘forbidden onboard technology device’ equals ‘start refused, elimination or disqualification’.<\/p>\n

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As a result, Smit was disqualified from stage 1 in Qinghai, a 120.6km sprint stage in Xining, won by Alexander Salby of Li Ning Star.<\/p>\n

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\"Oakley\n<\/p>\n

A closer look at the Oakley Meta Vanguard glasses \u2013 the same ones Smit was using (Image credit: Will Jones)<\/p>\n

“But what I struggle to understand is why In the Tour de France can you quite literally vlog with a camera in your hand which is perfectly legal…but because the camera is in the glasses you get an automatic Disqualification?!” Smith wrote.<\/p>\n

“Yes, if I knew about the rule, I would have also never posted it on social media. Anyways, I’ll take it on the chin.<\/p>\n

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“Here is the video that got me disqualified & the other video is just to show what is completely allowed it seems. And lastly, my glasses have absolutely no AI capabilities unless used with a phone. So on the bike it can do nothing but record video!”<\/p>\n

Smit illustrated his post with his own sunglasses-recorded video and that of Toms Skujin\u0161 at the Tour de France, though the Latvian is recording with a seemingly legal handheld camera rather than video-recording glasses.<\/p>\n

Last year, our senior tech writer Will Jones reviewed the shades which Smit uses to vlog \u2013 the Oakley Meta Vanguard AI glasses<\/a> \u2013 and described them as “technically brilliant, but undeniably creepy”.<\/p>\n

We’ll wait to see whether the UCI update their rulebook, but the creep factor \u2013 the glasses, which feature a 12MP camera and Meta AI technology, raise concerns over covert filming \u2013 does rather seem to rather overshadow their usefulness.<\/p>\n

Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video. Unfortunately I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this. A warning, fine or yellow card could have also been enough. But what\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/II7nRUPKsEJuly 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n