Tour de France cyclist Willie Smit disqualified over AI glasses | Latest Tech News
He’s seeing pink.
An expert cyclist and former WorldTour professional has been disqualified for utilizing contraband technology during the opening stage of the Tour of Magnificent Qingha.
South African cyclist Willie Smit was racing for the China Anta-Mentech group in the eight-stage race sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
After being ousted for carrying AI glasses, Smit, 33, took to X to element his outrage.
“Today I was disqualified for the first time in my cycling career (14 years), for wearing glasses that record video,” Smit posted.
Cycling professional Willie Smit announced his disqualification on X. Getty Images
“Unfortunately, I was not aware of a new rule that was implemented in April that prohibited this.”
The rule in query is UCI regulation 1.3.006 bis, which permits 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 those worn by Smit should not lined by this regulation and are thus thought-about a “forbidden onboard technology device,” for which the penalty is “elimination or disqualification.”
As a outcome of rocking his AI glasses, Smit was barred from competing in Stage 1 in Qinghai, a 120.6km dash stage in Xining.
In his X post, Smit reasoned that his punishment may and ought to have taken a different type.
“A warning, fine or yellow card could have also been enough.”
He admitted to being baffled by what the biking group considers and doesn’t take into account 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?!”
The glasses that disqualified Smit are Oakley Vanguards. NurPhoto via Getty Images
To illustrate the purpose, 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, specialists word that Skujinš recorded his footage utilizing a legal on-bike digicam, not a handheld digicam 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 feedback part.
The glasses that disqualified Smit are Oakley Vanguards, which might reply basic questions, analyze the current view, take and ship messages, make calls, seize images and video, and reply to voice instructions.
The Post decreed that Oakley Vanguards are constructed for sport, and after being dunked in freezing water and repeatedly tossed into the snow, they still look brand-new and perform flawlessly.
Flawlessly, albeit problematically in Smit’s case.
Smit posted the video he recorded with his glasses alongside footage taken by fellow cyclist Toms Skujinš. X / @williesmurfy
He maintains he was unaware of the rules 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 emphasised that his glasses lack AI capabilities unless paired with a cellphone.
Today I used to be disqualified for the first time in my biking profession (14 years), for carrying glasses that document video. Unfortunately I used to be not conscious of a new rule that was carried out in April that prohibited this. A warning, wonderful or yellow card may have also been enough. But what… pic.twitter.com/II7nRUPKsE
— Willie Smit (@williesmurfy) July 12, 2026
“On the bike, it can do nothing but record video!” he emphasised.
There is concept that the UCI ban has more to do with the audio system in the glasses posing a potential security issue than their video recording capabilities.
He continued to air his grievances in the feedback.
“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 had been divided about Smit’s disqualification. Some had been sympathetic; others, not so a lot.
“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 causes.
This 12 months 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 clothes.
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