Cycling revolution: Cyclists will be given yellow cards in races

This has been debated internally ICU in some cases, until the highest international cycling organization decided to take the step and make public the news they saved in the folder which they hope will improve the safety of cyclists in road cycling races. Some measures that will begin to be applied on a trial basis from August 1, so that the Lapwhich will take place from August 17 to September 8, will be the first major race where they will be applied and their effectiveness will be seen.

As with any change, there are new measures that attract more attention than others, such as the restriction of the use of earpieces in races or the introduction of yellow cards where inappropriate behavior will be punished, both of the runners and staff of the teams or the assistants, there is no doubt that this proposal will surely attract more attention both to the peloton and to the fans.

Along with the measures mentioned, the UCI will also introduce the figure of Security analystwho will review the security measures introduced by the race organizers, the practices and policies carried out by the cycling teams, and will also be surrounded by a group of experts who will review the various technological advances included , for example, on bicycles -on the level of gearing, the profile of the tires, opting for tubeless, tubeless tires…-

The most notable proposal, the introduction of yellow cards, will have a different application from other sports where it has been applied, such as football. Thus, they will not be shown during a race, but will appear in the subsequent test announcement, where the most relevant information is summarized.

As explained by UCI statement“the period from August 1 to December 31, 2024 will serve as a trial period, during which no additional penalties related to yellow cards will be imposed, and they will be available for trial UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTourbut there can be no disqualification or suspension.” On the other hand, starting January 1, 2025, penalties will be imposed for the accumulation of yellow cards. In addition, the system will be extended to events of UCI ProSeries (Men’s and Women’s Elite), the Olympic Games, the UCI World Championships (Men’s and Women’s Elite and Under 23) and Continental Championships (Men’s and Women’s Elite and Under 23).

How will the card system work?

In the same race, anyone who receives two yellow cards will be disqualified from that race and suspended for seven days, starting from the day after receiving the second yellow; Anyone who receives three yellow cards within thirty days will be suspended for 14 days, starting the day after receiving the third yellow card; and anyone shown six yellow cards within a year will be suspended for 30 days, starting from the day after receiving the sixth yellow card.”

Review of the Vuelta and the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya

Knowing these steps, MD asked the opinion of two of the leading organizers of cycling races in Spain, such as Javier Guillén, general director of La Vuelta, and Rubèn Peris, general director of Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. For Javier, “the assessment is that security is the most important element that we have at the moment in cycling races, that we have to try to introduce measures in favor of that security and about the cards it is something that has been worked on for a long time.” in Safer Commission, which is the body that tries to work on safety, which is then accepted by the Professional Cycling Council, regardless of whether they are put to the test at La Vuelta. What you have to understand is the season, and the season starts in August and it is true that these are testing seasons. That is, we have to see how it works because it is a measure that must be introduced little by little,” and reiterates, “I want to insist that we are in favor of the proposal, we support it, we need it. , remembering that these are test measures, wishing and hoping that they will work well and can be officially implemented starting January 1, and for that we need the entire transition period. And in principle, all the measures approved by the UCI in the last Professional Cycling Committee are welcome.”

He was more doubtful Ruben Peris, which goes into more detail about measurements. “As far as the measure of restricting the earpieces is concerned, I completely agree, since they make the runners very nervous receiving orders from the team managers. For safety reasons, I see it well. The issue of the three kilometers also I see it . Well, it is from three safe kilometers to four or five, a good way to avoid the case that a runner is allowed before a big race and we can not go to see when and how they show