I’ve done a bottle or 2 down the front at times, but Gagne had some next level aero stuffing going on today at Gravel worlds. I’m not sure what he had down the front of his kit to puff it out like this, but it seemed to work for him today. Some off season testing might be in order, I’m certainly not too proud to stuff my kit if it buys me a few free watts.
I figured my man-boobs had to be good for something.
He’s filled with The Spirit of Gravel. 
This is horrible and I wouldn’t be upset if there were rules to ban it.
The UCI banned jersey stuffing earlier this year. Nothing from USA cycling that I’m aware of, but not sure. And for non-UCI/USA cycling gravel events, I could see them banning it if it gets out of hand, but it’s been a thing for a few years. Lachlan ran his hydration bladder in the front when he won Unbound a couple years ago and plenty of riders do the same with bladders or bottles. Gagne today was the first time I can recall a rider running something that big that didn’t just look like hydration.
In long races on hot days, I’ll run 2-3 ice cold dump bottles in front stuffed in my speed suit, mainly because it’s the only viable place to quickly stash/access them and they help with cooling. Aero benefits are just a bonus. But if it’s not against the rules and worth some watts, stuffing something up your jersey even on a cool day isn’t the the craziest race hack I’ve seen. Did the aero hack help put Gagne on the podium today? Not sure, but it was a really good result for him in a stacked field. I’m sure some would never do it because it looks so stupid, but I’m all about looking stupid if it helps win the race. The more absurd, the better…
There has been some controversy about similar at this year’s Tour de France Femmes:
Unless some rules come in for these non-sanctioned races, it is likely to get more and more extreme.
Example A. - UK TT scene fairings
It is potentially dangerous as more and more people experiment with homemade and untested setups, and my biggest gripe, it just looks stupid. I have no problem with rules that try and maintain some tradition and elegance. We already look pretty ridiculous out there. No reason to make it this much worse.
I totally understand and respect that some people look at cycling as a fashion/style thing as much as the actual performance, but trying to drag safety into the debate is very UCI-ish. I agree it looks silly and strange, but the same can be said for many innovations until they normalize. All the cycling traditionalists thought aerobars were ridiculous until Lemond crushed Fignon with them.
“Pretty ridiculous” is an understatement.
I’d rather lean into the ridiculousness of cycling. Much more fun to goof on the silly outfits and traditions. And I totally get why cycling, golf, etc. try to tightly control the aesthetics of the sport, I just personally prefer weirdness and non-conformity.
No words
I definitely think that UCi are trying to keep abreast of the latest tweaks to aero performance but it looks like some riders are keeping their secrets pretty close to their chest.
I don’t mind be called UCI-ish. It is hard to argue that no aerobars is not safer than aerobars. I wish all mass start events would ban aerobars too.
Maybe try Triathlon? They seem to love this stuff. Sorry not sorry to my tri friends. 
Yeah, I like they way they embrace the weird in the Tri world, but I think Triathletes might lack self awareness even more than the cycling community. It’s funny that some of the fastest and most talented riders often don’t take themselves too seriously, while so many middle aged amateurs who ride/race as a hobby think it’s such serious business. The seriousness and attitude of road racing has definitely crept into the gravel racing scene in the last few years and some of that is good, but I sure hope gravel racing retains some of the laid back vibe (at least at the amateur level). Keegan is doing his part, running the seat mounted aero-spoiler at Gravel worlds yesterday. Said it helped with downforce at the high speeds they would be running…
I hope that’s the S-Works model!
I want one
It wouldn’t be that hard to make a larger front mounted hydration pack. Heavy at the start, but as you drink your fluids, you blow air back into it. So it gets lighter but maintains the shape. You don’t even have to fill it fully with fluid if you’re worried about weight. You just need the volume and air is weightless. Or if you’re really crazy use helium.
That’s hilarious!
I’m trying to avoid spoilers from the Gravel Worlds
It is becoming more and more embarrassing to be a cyclist. At some point, can we just let legs/fitness/race tactics do the talking without all this stuff?
“Tradition and elegance” freezes someone’s idea of the sport in time. E. g. to many rim brake bikes with classic lines (e. g. the seat stays are not lowered, simple tube shapes) looks “elegant” and “traditional”. I come from the MTB side of cycling, to me rim brakes look cheap, like bad brakes and less powerful. Not saying my view/feeling is right and the other one is wrong, just saying that what constitutes traditional and elegant lies in the eye of the beholder.
What I want is a safe sport with close racing, where one racer isn’t at a substantial disadvantage, because they cannot afford stuff developed by rocket scientists. Helmets can be as ugly as you want for as long as it is safe.
I’d also be less stringent about the frames, why not use advances pioneered for triathletes? It’d be great if you could compete with your tri bike at a TT and vice versa.
I’m all for this. But to me, your next part sounds like it contradicts that.
TT helmets are expensive. Especially if you only use them twice a year. New frame designs cost money. The 32” wheel hype means new bikes and wheels. All the little aero tweaks add up.
So I’m conflicted. I do hate this arms race to get an advantage because at a certain point it’s all just pay to play. But at the same time I love the innovation and new tech. Part of me loves the aero belly suit. Part of me hates it. There’s not a good answer really