{
  "id": 10010405,
  "title": "Message on a bottle: Without race radios, Belgium turns to bidons to pass along messages at Worlds",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/message-on-a-bottle-without-race-radios-belgium-turns-to-bidons-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T14:52:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Cycling Weekly",
    "slug": "cycling-weekly",
    "url": "https://www.cyclingweekly.com/road-world-championships/message-on-a-bottle-without-race-radios-belgium-turns-to-bidons-to-pass-along-messages"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "At the UCI Road World Championships press conference, the Belgian team announced a new communication method to replace race radios - bottle handups. This system, already used with the Belgian under-23 squad, involves placing written notes on bottles handed to riders in the feed zone. With radios prohibited, this method allows team directors to share race updates, such as breakaway gaps, group compositions, and instructions on chasing or attacking. Belgium will continue using roadside white boards alongside the bottles to disseminate information. Belgian rider Wout van Aert expressed excitement about the bottles, stating it would be a new experience for him, as he typically dislikes racing without radios. Van Aert often struggles to communicate with his team car due to the large peloton of around 180 riders, making it difficult to know the positions and times of his teammates. However, the new method comes with potential drawbacks. A message only reaches the intended rider if they collect the bottle; otherwise, they miss out on crucial information. Remco Evenepoel, a co-leader for Belgium, expressed concerns about the tactic needing refinement. Additionally, the secrecy aspect added a layer of complexity, as a message intended for a camerawoman inadvertently reached him during the under-23 race. Belgium's co-leaders, Evenepoel and van Aert, bring unique strengths to the team. Evenepoel excels at attacking from a distance, while van Aert is a formidable presence if a small group reaches the finish together. However, the question remains whether these strengths can be effectively combined or if they may end up dividing the team. Belgium's elite men's road race covers 273.7 kilometers with 3,803 meters of elevation gain, starting in Brossard and concluding at the Montréal circuit. The race begins at 9 a.m. EDT / 3:00 p.m. CEST.",
  "summary": "With earpieces banned at the road worlds, the Belgian squad plans to deliver tactical updates via drink bottles in the feedzone",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}