Tension was "building up around Team Sky after two days on the Tour de France as rival teams complained" that the jerseys it used for the opening time trial had been "designed to illegally boost aerodynamics," according to Julien Pretot of REUTERS. The British team had four riders in the top eight of Saturday's opening time trial, with Geraint Thomas "taking the race leader's yellow jersey." Little "bubble pads were seen on the upper arms on the jerseys of several Team Sky riders," including that of defending champion Chris Froome. Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) regulations state, "Garments must not be adapted in any way such that they diverge from their use purely as clothing." Race Jury President Philippe Marien said, "We summoned the team's sports directors to check the jerseys. Nothing was added to them." Some teams, however, "were not happy with the jury's view." FDJ cycling team Performance Dir Frédéric Grappe said, "Its enhanced aerodynamics and the regulations forbid it." BMC Racing coach Marco Pinotti said, "It seems to me this 'equipment' is on the borderline with the rules but if it's judged compliant with the rules then I accept it" (REUTERS, 7/3). In London, William Fotheringham reported the skin suit includes "panels incorporating small pellets which improve the air flow by creating tiny vortexes as the cyclist travels through the air." The dispute is over "whether or not the pellets are an integral part of the material." Grappe said, "The rule is very clear. Any aerodynamic addition to the jersey is banned. Sky have clearly infringed." Team Sky Sporting Dir Nicolas Portal said, "Everything is legal and the equipment was validated by the race commission" (GUARDIAN, 7/2). The BBC reported Portal said that Team Sky "abide by rules," adding, "Other big teams have been using it. It's legal. Everybody knows the rules. It does not give you a big advantage but it's those little things, so why not use them?" (BBC, 7/3).
