The International Cycling Union (UCI) revealed plans on Wednesday to enhance rider safety by introducing yellow cards following a series of serious crashes this season involving top cyclists like Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel.
Set to be implemented on a trial basis from August 1 until December 31, the yellow card system aims to address safety concerns without immediate penalties. However, from January 1 next year, sanctions will be imposed for the accumulation of yellow cards, part of the UCI's SafeR programme.
"The safety of riders is a priority for the UCI," stated UCI president David Lappartient, emphasizing the significance of the new measures introduced under the SafeR initiative. He expressed confidence that these measures would contribute to creating a safer environment for professional road cycling.
In addition to the yellow card system, the UCI plans to experiment with the impact of riders wearing earpieces during races, with a focus on potential distractions and physical hazards. This decision follows discussions acknowledging that earpieces could pose risks when a large number of teams simultaneously communicate instructions to riders, potentially affecting their focus and creating safety concerns.
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