Once the Olympic Games are over, the world’s major specific competitions resume their calendars. In the case of the Grand Tours of cycling, there are even new developments, since as of August 1, the new disciplinary regulations of the International Cycling Union (UCI) came into force.
This is a trial period until the end of the year where a series of measures will be implemented seeking the safety of competitors and equal development in difficult parts of the competitions, especially in the highest speed areas. One of the measures will be the implementation of the yellow card which, as in football, will be used as a warning to prevent further dangerous actions.
It will be a big debut, because in the 79th edition of La Vuelta a España this regulation will begin to be tested. “It is a system for preventing bad habits. This means that a bad action by a cyclist, a motorcycle driver, a sports director… can lead to a yellow card, which can only be issued by a commissioner. As long as when it is an action that has to do with safety,” explained Kiko García, technical director of the event that begins this Saturday, August 17 until Sunday, September 8.
Furthermore, facing La Vuelta the organization plans to lengthen its security spaces in sprint areas. “We have four stages in which the sprint safety zone will be lengthened a little. It will be in stages 2 and 3 in Portugal and 5 in Seville, which will have it 4 kilometers from the finish line, and 17 in Santander, where it will be extended to 5 kilometers from the finish line,” commented García.
THE YELLOW CARDS
Yellow cards will be issued in both men’s and women’s UCI events, imposing sanctions on cyclists and even on teams and race assistance. The proposal that will be tested until the end of 2024 includes the accumulation of cards and their subsequent punishments. For example, if you receive two yellows in the same stage, it could be disqualification from the race and a one-week suspension. If you receive three cards in less than 30 days, there will be a 14-day suspension.
The cards will not be shown physically as in football, but will be communicated at the end of each stage by the race commissioners, who will be in charge of applying and being aware of infractions that lead to difficulties for the safety of the race. the race. Everything, according to the implementation of SafeR, responsible for safety in the ICU.
