Sports
Domestiques in Amateur Women's Cycling: Strategy or Injustice?
The practice of using domestiques in amateur women's cycling races reignites the debate about fair play and sports ethics.
The use of domestiques in amateur women's cycling races is sparking intense debate. Experts are discussing whether it's a legitimate strategy or an unfair advantage that unbalances the competition. The practice was evident at the Giro d'Italia Ride Like a Pro, despite being prohibited, bringing the discussion about sports rules back into focus.
The world of amateur women's cycling has been the stage for a heated debate: the use of domestiques in races. On the program "Na Roda do Stemma" (On the Stemma Wheel), host Gisele Gasparotto welcomed cyclists Ana Lídia Borba, Ana Paula Polegatch, and Lívia Leozzi for a frank conversation about this complex topic. The athletes, leading figures in the sport, delved into the controversy, questioning where strategy ends and unfair advantage begins, especially after the recent Giro d'Italia Ride Like a Pro, which witnessed the practice despite its prohibition in the regulations.
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Domestique vs. Drafting: A Crucial Distinction and the Reality of "Mixed Doubles"
Ana Lídia Borba promptly clarified the fundamental difference: drafting (riding in the slipstream) is a common and desired practice in road cycling, where athletes benefit from the peloton's aerodynamics. A domestique, on the other hand, is predetermined and premeditated assistance. "It's bringing someone who will work for you," she explains. This includes pacing, shielding from the wind, providing water and food, carrying items like water bottles or inner tubes, planning race strategy, and even chasing down athletes in breakaways.
The discussion intensifies when female cyclists use male domestiques. Ana Paula Polegatch and Lívia Leozzi agree that, in such a scenario, the women's competition transforms into a "mixed doubles" event, unbalancing the conditions. "There's no comparison between a man's strength and a woman's strength. That's why there are already separate categories," Ana Paula emphasizes. Lívia adds that the race becomes "stifled," as athletes feel forced to follow what the opponent with a domestique is doing, losing the chance to apply individual strategies.
The Regulation Dilemma: The Case of the Giro d'Italia Ride Like a Pro
This year's edition of the Giro d'Italia Ride Like a Pro brought the topic sharply into focus. Despite regulations explicitly prohibiting the use of pacers/domestiques, the practice was largely ignored. Gisele and the guests expressed indignation, with reports of domestiques "parked by a tree awaiting the women's start" and clear circumvention of the rules. "We weren't talking about 'what's not forbidden is allowed.' It was forbidden, and yet they used them," Ana Paula pointed out.
For Ana Lídia, when there's a clear rule, ignoring it is a disrespect to the sport and other competitors. She criticizes the lack of oversight and punishment from the organizers, who, by failing to act, weaken their own regulations. The athletes emphasize that the organization's inertia demonstrates that it doesn't take its own rules seriously, even with evidence and resources for enforcement.
Impact on Performance, Autonomy, and "Cultural Sexism"
The use of domestiques can rob female cyclists of the chance to develop crucial skills like race awareness, tactical decision-making, and the cultivation of their own strengths across different terrains. Ana Paula shares experiences where she had to stop because of a dropped bottle, while an athlete with a domestique would have had that concern handled by someone else. She highlights the disparity: "It's one thing to attack and give it my all knowing I'll have a [male] wheel to follow. Then I just need to break away from the women's field, and there will be a man to take me alone to the finish. It's another thing to make a strategic mistake, break down ahead, and someone who's fresher passes me and wins the race."
The pursuit of "results at any cost" was criticized. "Everyone just wants the result. It doesn't matter how you got there; what matters is the podium photo," Ana Paula lamented, perceiving a loss of the sport's integrity. Ana Lídia confessed to having used a domestique on one occasion and regretted it, feeling she hadn't earned the victory herself, especially contradicting her message of female independence and self-sufficiency.
The guests also addressed the "cultural sexism" that sometimes permeates the sporting environment, with men encouraging rivalries among women. Gisele Gasparotto questioned why "bickering" occurs in women's races but not in men's. They reinforce the importance of women training and competing together, creating alliances and strategies that enrich the experience, like Ana Paula's partnerships with Lívia or Ju Cipriano in other races. The suggestion is clear: if a domestique is to be used, it should be a woman from the same category, as a way to foster women's cycling.
Solutions and a Call for Reflection on the Future of Women's Cycling
Among the proposed solutions, the idea of separate starts for women (15 to 20 minutes in advance) was raised as an effective way to mitigate the problem, as a man would hardly give up his own race to wait for a women's peloton. Ana Lídia also cited the concept of "Race Angel" from Ironman, where athletes can have support but forfeit classification and podium finishes, ideal for beginners who only seek to complete the race safely. Similarly, the Bike Series offers a "Personal Challenge" category without timing chips, for those seeking enjoyment without the pressure of competition.
In closing, the cyclists agreed that the practice of using domestiques is predominantly a cultural issue and an injustice. They encourage women to trust their potential, to learn to attack, descend, and push themselves independently. "Many of you [...] can win a race on your own. And it will be much more gratifying," concludes Ana Lídia. The final reflection is on the true purpose of the sport: to overcome oneself and seek personal evolution in an environment of fair play and respect.
The conversation on "Na Roda do Stemma" serves as a powerful reminder for the cycling community, especially in Brazil, to reevaluate what truly defines fair competition and sports ethics. By embracing autonomy and mutual support, women in amateur cycling can truly inspire, not just by winning, but by competing with integrity, passion, and cultivating an environment where everyone feels valued and capable.
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