I know we're talking about the UCI here, but why not change the rule to a time penalty instead of an automatic disqualification? Peaty clearly was not cheating, he just blew out of the tape. A five second, hell, a ten second penalty would be plenty, and it wouldn't have the devastating effect of a big fat zero on his...
I thought one of the 5050's strengths was its thickness. You see a lot of world cup guys on 5050's, Burgtecs' and Straightline's, and none of those are thin. I think the "thinner is better" thing is probably more internet lore than reality, like the obsession with low front ends on downhill sleds.