The UCI has announced that it has taken important decisions relating to safety of runners in groups (both men and women), a particularly topical issue after the recent serious falls that have occurred in recent months.
These decisions are based on the recommendations developed within SafeRthe new structure dedicated to safety and which includes representatives of all cycling stakeholders.
The main measures are the following:
- introduction of a yellow card system in cycling (which we will talk about shortly);
- restriction on the use of radios in some selected events, to reduce distraction and stress among runners;
- modification of the so-called “three kilometer” rule (or “sprint zone”), with the possibility of extending the time neutralization zone in the event of a sprint finish up to 5 km, if conditions require it;
- simplification of the method of calculating gaps in the stages with a sprint finish, allowing ranking riders to take fewer risks.
All these changes will be subject during the trial period in the next races and until the end of the season, in collaboration with the interested parties, before being finally approved.
How the yellow card system will work in cycling
From 1 August 2024 (trial phase until 31 December 2024) a “yellow card” system will be introduced in men’s and women’s professional road races.
The tags, as you might imagine, represent a sanction. They will not exist physically, as happens in football, but will be listed in the race press release published after arrival.
Yellow cards in cycling are meant for discourage risky behavior in the race, which could jeopardize the safety of the runners. Not only runners can be subject to a yellow card, but also sports directors, drivers, motorcyclists and other individuals involved in the race.
The Commissioners will therefore be able to issue yellow cards for any infringement that may represent a risk to the safety of the competition, either in addition to other sanctions or as a stand-alone sanction.
It is important to underline that the table of race incidents already provides for the possibility of disqualifying a runner and that this possibility is not affected by the introduction of the yellow card system.
The period from 1 August to 31 December 2024 will serve as a trial phase, during which no further sanctions related to the accumulation of yellow cards will be imposed. This means that yellow cards can already be used in UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour events, but will not be linked to disqualifications or suspensions. However, the sanctions existing until now will remain in force.
At the end of the trial period, unless modified, the accumulation of yellow cards will lead to a more or less long suspension, as shown in the infographic below:
- two yellow cards during a one-day or stage race will result in immediate disqualification from the race and a 7-day suspension starting from the day following receipt of the second card;
- three yellow cards within thirty days will result in a 14-day disqualification starting from the day following receipt of the third card;
- six yellow cards within a year will result in a 30-day suspension starting from the day following receipt of the sixth card.
To read the full press release and have further details on the other measures introduced click HERE.
Opening photo Giro d’Italia – William
