helmets on uphill finish

"HomelessDave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Did I miss a rule change? I thought on uphill finishes riders were
allowed to shed their helmets at the base of the final climb, but today
there you had everyone hitting the summit finish with their noggins
fully protected. Anybody know when the rule changed? (or do I just
have it completely wrong?) Thanks.

Yes definately a rule change at the end of last year. I think a rule change
for all UCI-sanctioned races.
In fact I just looked it up.

Old rule:
2. During competitions on the road, a rigid safety headgear shall be worn.
Except where there are legal provisions to the contrary, riders taking part
in international events for elite men of class 4 and above may, at their own
risk, remove their headgear during the final climb when the finish of the
event or stage is on or at the summit of that climb, subject to the
following conditions:

1) the climb in question is at least 5 km in length,

2) the headgear may not be removed before the start of the climb.

The headgear must be retrieved as per article 2.3.013. During training
sessions on the road and in the case covered by the preceding paragraph, the
wearing of a rigid safety headgear is recommended. In any case, riders must
always comply with the relevant legal provisions.

New rule:

2. During competitions on the road, a rigid safety helmet shall be worn.
Except where legal provisions determine otherwise, riders taking part in UCI
ProTour events may, at their own risk, refrain from wearing a helmet during
individual time trial races taking place entirely on a mountainous course.
Every discussion regarding the qualification «entirely on a mountainous
course» will be decided by the commissaires' panel.