It is the great novelty that the public of the Tour de France, not necessarily aware of the news at the year of the bicycle, will discover from this Saturday, July 5. It’s not just passion but also deterrence.
On the example of football, cycling, after having tested them last year from August 1, establishes a system of yellow cards. They are a sanction, but have no physical existence. No one will brandish them in front of a runner’s helmet. Warnings will be listed in the end -of -race press release.
This novelty was born out of a desire for the UCI, the International Federation, to improve the safety of runners. “This initiative will have a deterrent effect for anyone present at the race level (runners, sports directors, other drivers and pilots …) likely to adopt behavior that could affect the security of the test, writes the UCI. In addition, the system will aim to empower all these actors by establishing a monitoring of poor behavior over time and thus encouraging respectful behavior. »»
About twenty cases planned
The UCI has listed around twenty reasons to receive a yellow card. And it’s not just the runners who are targeted.
– Remove your helmet during the test.
– Retro stroller between runners or by spectators.
– Runner hanging on a vehicle or troubleshooting from a vehicle on the move.
– shelter behind a vehicle
– irregular refueling of a runner.
– Deviation of the sprint corridor or irregular sprint (pull the jersey or saddle of another runner, intimidation, head, knee, elbow, shoulder or hand …).
– Obstruction of a runner or vehicle likely to delay or prevent the progression of another runner or another vehicle.
– Interview in the race of a runner or a sports director (possible cardboard for the journalist and his driver).
– Use/use of sidewalks, paths or cycle paths not part of the route.
– assault, insults, threats, dangerous behavior towards a runner. – Jet of waste outside the areas, jet without precaution, jets in a dangerous way (a can which returns in the peloton).
Since January 1, 2025, the accumulation of yellow cards has caused sanctions. Two boxes during a day or in stages will lead to a disqualification of the race and a suspension of seven days. Three boxes in one month will lead to a fourteen day suspension, while for six over a period of one year, the runners will be sanctioned by thirty days of suspension.
In other words on this large loop, if a runner receives two yellow cards, he will be excluded.
