He’s seeing red.
A professional cyclist and former WorldTour pro has been disqualified for using contraband technology during the opening stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qingha.
South African cyclist Willie Smit was racing for the China Anta-Mentech team in the eight-stage race sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
After being ousted for wearing AI glasses, Smit, 33, took to X to detail his outrage.
“Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video,” Smit posted.
“Unfortunately, I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this.”
The rule in question is UCI regulation 1.3.006 bis, which allows riders to use image-capturing devices, with one important caveat: devices must be fitted to the bike itself and not worn by riders “unless specific regulations of a given discipline authorize devices being worn by riders.”
Video-recording glasses like the ones worn by Smit are not covered by this regulation and are thus considered a “forbidden onboard technology device,” for which the penalty is “elimination or disqualification.”
As a result of rocking his AI glasses, Smit was barred from competing in Stage 1 in Qinghai, a 120.6km sprint stage in Xining.
In his X post, Smit reasoned that his punishment could and should have taken a different form.
“A warning, fine or yellow card could have also been enough.”
He admitted to being baffled by what the cycling organization considers and doesn’t consider contraband.
“What I struggle to understand is why in the Tour de France can you quite literally vlog with a camera in your hand, which is perfectly legal…but because the camera is in the glasses you get an automatic Disqualification?!”
To illustrate the point, Smit posted the video he recorded with his glasses alongside footage taken by fellow cyclist Toms Skujinš.
“Here is the video that got me disqualified & the other video is just to show what is completely allowed, it seems,” he added.
However, experts note that Skujinš recorded his footage using a legal on-bike camera, not a handheld camera as Smit alleges.
“The glasses are essentially a camera. Your phone is basically a camera. Should it also be banned everywhere?” he questioned in the comments section.
The glasses that disqualified Smit are Oakley Vanguards, which can answer basic questions, analyze the current view, take and send messages, make calls, capture photos and video, and respond to voice commands.
The Post decreed that Oakley Vanguards are built for sport, and after being dunked in freezing water and repeatedly tossed into the snow, they still look brand-new and function flawlessly.
Flawlessly, albeit problematically in Smit’s case.
He maintains he was unaware of the regulations when he posted footage captured by his Vanguards.
“If I knew about the rule, I would have also never posted it on social media. Anyways, I’ll take it on the chin.”
Taking it on the chin but refusing to go quietly, Smit emphasized that his glasses lack AI capabilities unless paired with a phone.
“On the bike, it can do nothing but record video!” he emphasized.
There is speculation that the UCI ban has more to do with the speakers in the glasses posing a potential safety issue than their video recording capabilities.
He continued to air his grievances in the comments.
“Using common sense, one would think it’s much more dangerous having a GoPro in your hand and making a recording in the biggest bike race in the world compared to having a camera in your glasses that does not require taking your hands off the handlebars.”
Commenters were divided about Smit’s disqualification. Some were sympathetic; others, not so much.
“Anyone that wears these glasses is a douchecanoe. Sorry about your luck,” said one commenter.
“You’re an idiot for getting suspended from the most iconic race in history due to literally being an idiot,” said another.
Smit is the latest rider to face disqualification for curious reasons.
This year alone, Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for competing with an underweight bike, Italian cyclist Filippo D’Aiuto was ousted for his too-narrow handlebars, and Jan Willem Van Schip was barred from competing due to his non-compliant clothing.
