Acycling event, the Tour de France, pits competitors against each other, excluding top rider Pogačar
The upcoming Tour de France, set to take place in 2024, is gearing up for a safety-focused edition with the introduction of the yellow card system. This system, implemented by the UCI, aims to curb risky behaviours during races and enhance rider safety.
The system, in operation for 235 race days so far, has issued 159 yellow cards, with the majority going to riders for infractions such as unsafe driving, misconduct in feed zones, and dangerous sprinting maneuvers. Receiving two yellow cards in an event can lead to a rider's exclusion from the race and additional penalties, such as a seven-day suspension.
Notable examples of riders receiving two yellow cards include Oscar Riesebeek of Alpecin-Deceuninck, who was excluded from a race and served a seven-day suspension. However, there are no specific reports of riders being disqualified solely due to the yellow card system during the Tour de France or Tour de France Femmes.
The 2025 Tour de France, starting in Lille, France, will mark the first time the yellow card system is implemented in the prestigious event. It is expected to play a significant role in maintaining safety, particularly in high-risk zones like sprints and feed zones.
Meanwhile, the organizers of the 2024 Tour de France have designed a course that includes nine days of mostly flat sections and smaller hills, interrupted by a flat time trial and a classic crash on the "Wall of Brittany." The aim is to prevent Tadej Pogacar from taking the yellow jersey early and holding it throughout the Tour, given his past weaknesses on climbs such as Mont Ventoux, Hautacam, and the Col de la Loze.
Pogacar, however, remains confident about his chances in the 2024 Tour de France, citing a successful training camp and strong team spirit. Tiesj Benoot, on the other hand, has expressed concern about the safety of the early stages, suggesting that earlier stages with more mountains would be safer.
The Tour de France Femmes, starting in July, will also incorporate the yellow card system. The race covers nine stages from Brittany to the Alps, mirroring the men's race in its focus on improving safety and managing risky behaviours.
The city of Lille is preparing for the Tour de France, with a two-story tall yellow jersey installed at the Grand Place. The total expenditure for each stage city is 1.75 million euros, with 1.4 million going to the race organizers ASO. Logistics costs are billed at 350,000 euros, and the police and firefighters securing the course are provided free of charge by the French state.
As the countdown to the 2024 Tour de France begins, Christian Prudhomme, head of the Tour, is confident about a passionate start in Lille, with Christian Poiret, head of the department, anticipating significant revenue from the event. In Bilbao, where the Tour started in 2023, additional revenues were estimated at over 100 million euros.
In the sprints, Biniam Girmay and Jasper Philipsen are notable contenders for the first week of the Tour de France, reserved mainly for the sprinters. The Tour de France covers a total of 3338.8 kilometers, offering traditional elements such as mythical climbs like Mont Ventoux and Hautacam.
The Tour de France is set to be a thrilling event, with the yellow card system adding a new element of tension. Riders will need to balance their competitive spirit with the need to avoid yellow cards, ensuring a captivating race for spectators.
Riders participating in the upcoming Tour de France, starting in 2024, need to be cautious about their behavior during sprints and feed zones, as the yellow card system will be enforced, issuing penalties for unsafe driving, misconduct, and dangerous sprinting maneuvers. In the Tour de France Femmes, also starting in 2024, the same system will be used to maintain safety and manage risky behaviors throughout the race.
