Disc brakes were used in the UCI WorldTour for the first time in August and September, with teams given the opportunity to test bikes mounted with the brakes at two events of their choice.

Following discussions with stakeholders, the UCI then authorised riders from professional road teams to use disc brakes in 2016, and stated they would continue to closely monitor their use.

Ventoso wrote an open letter on Facebook after crashing at Paris-Roubaix on April 10, a race won by Australia’s Mathew Hayman.

He suffered a severe gash on his leg after contact with another rider's brakes, which he described as being "like knives". 

“Disc brakes should have NEVER arrived into the peloton, not at least as we know them right now,” said Ventoso, who rides for the UCI WorldTour team Movistar.

“I haven’t met any rider who has run out of braking power with traditional brakes; I haven’t known anyone who didn’t see his wheels skidding when you brake with all power you’ve got, no matter traditional or disc brakes, then: why using them?

“The most worrying thing, as I stated before, is that disc brakes in its actual concept are giant knives, ‘machetes’ when crashing against or crashed by them at a certain speed.

“And in some points, we reach 80, 90, 100 kilometres per hour.”

The International Association of Professional Cycling Teams (AIGCP), who represent all professional cycling teams, submitted a request to the UCI to suspend the trial of disc brakes. 

Their request was supported by the International Association of Professional Cyclists (CPA).

The UCI have agreed to this, stating that rider security has always been and will always remain its absolute priority.

However, the governing body have confirmed that they will continue extensive consultations regarding disc brakes with their Equipment Commission, which features representatives of teams, riders, mechanics, fans, commissaries and the bicycle industry.