Cycling, the case of Kristen Faulkner: she raced the Strade Bianche with a glucose meter on her arm

His third place in the Strade Bianche Women he had surprised more than one, also for the very courageous conduct of the race, all in the attack. But that great performance could soon be crossed out of the golden register of the Sienese race. Kristen Faulkner, the thirty-year-old American of Team Jayco AlUla, could in fact suffer a disqualification. Faulkner, 5 successes in his career, had a glucose meter on his arm, used by many runners in training to get some physiological data in real time: the amount of sugar in the blood, but not only. The detection of her is essential to understand in real time when the runner’s “tank” is empty. This type of tool cannot in any way be used in competitions. The UCI regulation (point 2.12.007, use of a prohibited device of integrated on-board technology) expressly forbids this.

The story exploded on social media

The story, reported by cycling news, emerged from a series of reports from users on social media: an unequivocal swelling on Faulkner’s left arm had been noticed. She didn’t deny wearing it, but said it wasn’t connected to any control device during the race. The American would have already done her utmost to provide evidence to the UCI in order to avoid or limit the sanction. The team will not comment until a final decision by the International Cycling Union. The possibility of using glucose meters had emerged during the 2021 Tour de France: Aigle has always expressed his clear opposition. Some top-tier runners like Wout Van Aert they use the Supersapiens system in training, a sensor identical to the one found on Kristen Faulkner’s arm. You will know more in the coming weeks.