Increased safety is to be ensured in the peloton. © APA/afp / SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS

Yellow cards at the Tour: What's behind them

Shortly before the start of the Tour de France on Saturday, a debate about safety has flared up again in cycling. Organizers have introduced new measures to ensure greater safety, including the introduction of a yellow card.

July 02, 2025

From: dpa

When it comes to his children's career plans, cycling star Jonas Vingegaard is unapologetic. "Honestly, if my daughter or son asks if they can race, the answer is 'no.' The way the sport is today, it's simply too dangerous," says the two-time Tour de France champion.

Vingegaard himself has already suffered several serious crashes. For example, at the 2024 Tour of the Basque Country, when he suffered multiple broken bones, a contused lung, and a pneumothorax. "Some people ride as if their bikes don't have brakes," complains the Dane, who also blames the organizers and the UCI world cycling governing body for the many crashes in the past.

Jonas Vingegaard comments on the precarious security situation. © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

The UCI recorded 497 incidents resulting in accidents last season. Risky riding maneuvers were often the cause. The world governing body has accordingly adopted measures.

yellow cards
Two warnings in a race result in a seven-day suspension. Three yellow cards within 30 days result in a 14-day suspension. "I recently received one myself for a minor scuffle. We all still don't fully understand the yellow card system," says former Tour stage winner Nils Politt.

Kilometer rule
The extension of the so-called three-kilometer rule to up to five kilometers has also proven successful. In the event of crashes on flat stages within this range, the affected riders are classified with the same time as the group at the time of the incident. This makes the finish less hectic.

Tadej Pogacar is the favorite on the tour. © APA/afp / ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT

Is the airbag coming?
Another common problem is the high speeds on downhill runs, sometimes exceeding 100 km/h. The introduction of so-called airbags has long been under consideration. Starting next winter, airbags will be mandatory in the Alpine Ski World Cup speed disciplines of downhill and super-G. Cycling hasn't reached that stage yet. A kind of mini-backpack or neck braces are being discussed, but these are hardly practical in professional cycling.

Security center and GPS tracking
At the Tour de Suisse, the organizers recently invested additional resources in safety. A mobile security center was introduced. The riders were also equipped with GPS trackers for better tracking. Following the fatal accidents involving Gino Mäder two years ago on the Albula Pass and Muriel Furrer at the 2024 World Championships in Zurich, the issue was of particular importance to those responsible.

Technical limitations
The fact that races are getting faster and faster due to technological advances in equipment is something that can hardly be changed – or can it? The UCI is considering limiting the gear ratio that a racing bike can cover with one crank revolution – and thus also the top speed.