Originally Posted by
CB HI
The riders will not take water bottles from fans - no telling what may be in the bottle.
Biggest help fans can provide and are allowed is cheering at a safe distance and providing newspaper to riders just before long, cold downhills.
Officials would likely turn a blind eye to mechanical help even if it is banned by the UCI/race organization. Of note, in the old days, racers were not even allowed mechanical help from their team; they had to carry their own spare tire and tubes, etc.
I have seen a few times when I rider went down or had a mechanical where the bike could be fixed without help from the team car or neutral support where a fan would push start a rider. Exactly like the team mechanic would do. Very well doen.
Of course this was 5-10 years ago.